(LONDON) — The fuels landscape is set to dramatically change when the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 0.5 percent sulfur cap comes into force on Jan. 1, 2020. Ahead of this, ExxonMobil has developed tips to help the marine industry switch to low sulfur fuels while maintaining a vessel’s safe and reliable operation.
First, establish best practice
Prevention is always better than cure, so it is advisable to:
• Buy fuel that meets the latest ISO 8217:2017 specification
• Only bunker from reputable fuel suppliers
• Clean out bunker tank residues when necessary
Test for cat fines
Some new 0.5 percent sulfur fuels could contain elevated levels of cat fines which, if not properly treated, could trigger catastrophic engine damage. If laboratory testing shows a high concentration, then:
• Maintain storage tank temperatures at least 10 degrees Celsius above fuel pour point
• Keep settling tanks at 85 degrees Celsius
• Operate purifiers at optimum efficiency and minimum throughput
• Drain water from fuel tanks to aid settling
Check for compatibility
There is a risk that two compliant fuels will not be compatible, which can trigger sludge formation. It is therefore essential to:
• Test the fuels for compatibility, ideally in a laboratory. If the fuel is already loaded, then test on board to get immediate results
• Store fuels separately until testing has been carried out
• Even when two fuels are compatible, avoid mixing in excess of 80:20
Monitor for sludge
If sludge does start to form, it is essential to ensure against further fuel blending before any remedial action is taken, as this may exacerbate the problem. Then:
• Operate two or more separators in parallel at their lowest throughput
• Increase the frequency of purifier discharge
• Monitor and clean filters frequently
“With so many different types of fuel potentially set to enter the bunker market, vessel operators are rightly concerned about stability, compatibility and quality issues, such as elevated levels of cat fines,” said John LaRese, marine fuels technical adviser, ExxonMobil. “It will therefore be more important than ever for operators to follow best practice when bunkering compliant fuels, including using laboratories to test fuel samples for potential issues.”
Keep up to date with the latest marine fuels and lubricants news. Sign up for the Voyager e-newsletter at exxonmobil.com/voyager.
