RE: QFI30 May 2018 16:05
Yes it's true many owners will not fit scrubbers. They will pay extra for their fuel (presumably passing the cost on to their customers), which some industry sources are saying may be as much as $600 more by 2020
Those opting to use LSFO will need to take extra precautions to avoid damaging engine parts by using fuel with high amounts of CAT fines (rather frightening):-
ExxonMobil issues guidance for switching to low sulphur fuel
The fuels landscape is set to dramatically change when the International Maritime Organization�s (IMO) 0.5% sulphur cap comes into force on 1 January 2020. Ahead of this, we have come up with some top tips to help the marine industry switch to low sulphur fuels while maintaining a vessel�s safe and reliable operation.
First, establish best practise: 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% sulphur 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�C above fuel pour point
Keep settling tanks at 85�C
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 damaging sludge formation. It is therefore essential to:
Test the fuels for compatibility, ideally in a laboratory
Store fuels separately until testing has been carried out
If mixing is unavoidable, avoid comingling in excess of 80:20 mix ratio
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
Depending on its features, it may also be possible to use a next generation cylinder condition monitoring service to test a fuel�s sulphur content in order to confirm it meets the revised IMO sulphur cap. Using fuels that do not comply with the emissions regulations could result in costly penalties.