Alfa Laval has issued a paper regarding fuel handling in ECAs after 1st January 2015. The first part deals with overall issues suchas equipment preparation and fuel storage, while the second part deals with the specific challenges of common LS fuels and emerging alternatives.
The game-changing legislation taking effect 1st January 2015 will reduce the allowed sulphur content for fuel burned in marine engines from 1.00% to 0.10% in Emission Control Areas (ECAs). Understandably, many ship owners and operators have questions about the huge impact this will have on their vessel’s fuel handling.
Vessels can comply with the legislation either by installing a scrubber and continuing with HFO, or by using low-sulphur (LS) fuel when operating in ECAs. For those that choose the latter, it will have a major effect on the vessel’s fuel handling. Among other things, it will necessitate both the conversion of fuel tanks and the addition of fuel cooling equipment to secure the viscosity of the engine’s fuel supply.
In Alfa Laval’s paper, it is explored the operational implications of the ECA fuel change. The first part deals with overall issues such as equipment preparation and fuel storage, while the second part deals with the specific challenges of common LS fuels and emerging alternatives.
Issues for vessels in 100% ECA operation
For vessels without a scrubber that spend 100% of their time in ECA operation, there is no alternative but a fuel with a maximum 0.10% sulphur level. The tanks must therefore be prepared for this kind of fuel, i.e. stripped and cleaned.
Simply emptying the tanks and filling them with the new fuel is not a good solution, because the LS fuels currently in the tanks contain at least 1.00% sulphur. The new fuel’s sulphur content is already so close to 0.10% that even small amounts of the 1.00% fuel will put its sulphur level out of compliance
Accumulated pollution in the tank is also an issue, especially if a long time has passed since the last tank cleaning. If the pollution is considerable, it may contaminate the new fuel to a level where even the separator will have problems removing it. Lighter fuels will have a washing effect on the tanks, causing pollution to come loose over time and contaminate the fuel for a lengthy period to come
The only viable solution is thus to empty the tanks and to clean them to a point where the new fuel will not be contaminated. Keep in mind that pipes and other equipment like filters and strainers also contain high-sulphur fuel, which means it may take time until the high-sulphur fuel has completely left the system
Remember as well that MGO/MDO, unlike HFO, is prone to bacterial growth. The operator should make an inspection during tank cleaning to ensure that water does not enter the storage tanks
Finally, when changing to MGO/MDO it is possible that the pumps in the booster system will begin to leak due to sealing wear that has been plugged by the higher-density HFO. When the HFO is washed away, larger gaps in the seal will allow the lower-density MGO/MDO to escape. This can be avoided by changing to magnetically coupled pumps that are absolutely leakage-free.
Issues for vessels travelling in and out of ECAs
Before the new ECA legislation, MGO/MDO was only used for auxiliary engines and boilers when at berth in ECAs. This meant only a limited amount was needed. Now, when LSMGO/MDO is required for the main engine as well, vessels travelling in and out of ECAs will have to calculate their consumption and be sure to have a sufficient amount on board. The extended storage poses significant challenges
Fuel heating
Believing that heating is not necessary with gas oil, some operators consider blocking off the tank heating in order to prevent water from leaking heater coils from entering the tanks. However, this is a misunderstanding that can prove expensive in the end. Heating is still needed for gas oil due to the increasing amount of wax it contains. Moreover, some of the alternative fuels now entering the market must be handled in the same way as HFO, as will be discussed later
Water intrusion
One of the issues in storing MGO/MDO on board is the risk of bacterial growth in the oil, a problem that cannot occur with HFO. The only way to avoid bacterial growth for certain is to remove the oxygen-rich water from the oil, as bacteria are dependent on oxygen and water to grow.
Alternative fuels from major suppliers
Some major oil suppliers have introduced new fuel grades to meet the demand coming in 2015. These fuels are most likely of good quality, produced from well-known sources and not likely to damage machinery or be harmful to the vessel’s crew. They will not be available to bunker traders and are only being sold through major suppliers.
Alternative fuels from bunker traders
Some major bunker traders are also introducing their own blends for compliance with MARPOL Annex VI. These fuels may or may not be of good quality, and they may have components that are not usually found in fuel oils.
It is important to remember that the change in ECA legislation concerns only the sulphur content of the oil. All other parameters are operational issues. This means that sulphur content is the only parameter the suppliers are blending for, and the results may vary considerably depending on the chosen cutter stock. Certain types of chemical waste can theoretically serve as good cutter stock, for example, but the result will have a devastating effect on onboard equipment.
General recommendations for fuel handling
Care must be taken when separators and pumps are serviced. Due to the risk of harmful chemicals present in the oil, surgical gloves are recommended to prevent any skin contact with it. The chemicals are not normally found during testing unless additional tests are performed.
Be sure to smell the oil as well. Some oils have a strong and unfamiliar smell that may indicate the presence of chemical contamination. If the oil’s smell is strong, be careful when handling it. Use gloves and be sure to secure good ventilation.
For more information please read the paper “Fuel handling: n ECAs after 1st January 2015” issued by Alfa Laval
Source: Alfa Laval
In the outbreak, I was outspoken with you propecia before and after has changed my subsistence. It has become much more fun, and now I have to run. Just as it is incredible to sit.
