Japan P&I Club issues information and guidelines on dealing with the use of compatible oil to prevent any potential accidents, in line with IMO’s 2020 sulphur cap approach, a change that has already made the shipping industry look for alternatives.
Accordingly, the Club proposes to all interest parties to follow the recommendations below:
#1 Concern risk
There are concerns about the risks associated with the following five properties because compatible oils are manufactured in various ways.
(1) Mixing stability (2) Low temperature fluidity ( 3) Low kinematic viscosity ( 4) Cat-Fine ( AL + Si ) ( 5) Ignition / combustibility
Specifically, the first two options, mixing stability and cold fluidity have a direct adverse effect on engine operation in the case of excessive sludge and wax crystallization. There is concern about the inability to operate the cleaner due to accumulation in the rotating body.
#2 Measures
- Mixing stability → Sludge countermeasures
The Club highlights: Do not mix in storage tanks or piping, or keep the mixing ratio as low as possible.
Yet, if the situation is unstable, use sludge dispersant. Also, the strainers can be often cleaned.
The oil purifier decreases the amount of oil flow, shortens the sludge discharge interval, raises the oil passage temperature, and shortens the opening interval of the rotating body.
The Club recommends that in case of a problem, install a spare sludge dispersant on the vessel.
- Low temperature fluidity → measures against wax crystallization
The most crucial part is: Pour point (temperature) Maintain above + 10 ° C and heat.
Under the possibility that there is no heating device and the seawater temperature, piping ambient temperature, engine room temperature, and air temperature that affect fuel management cannot be raised to the pour point (temperature) + 10 ° C or higher, an additive that suppresses wax crystallization can be added.
