Experience with the use of VLSFO after 1 Year
Technical Update
“ Experience with the use of VLSFO after 1 Year.”
With the IMO 2020 regulations already in effect on January 1st. 2020, there has been a dramatic shift in the dominant bunker fuel, shifting from Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) to the new 0,5% Sulphur Very Low Sulphur Fuel OIL ( VLSFO).
After one Year of usage of the VLSFO, many experience reports by institutes and operators are meanwhile available.
Although the change has seemed relatively smooth regarding availability and prices,
the reports show that the initially fears regarding stability and incompatibility problems of the blended VLSFOs are confirmed and not solved yet.
It was reported that instability of VLSFOs lead to:
Sludge accumulation in the storage tanks, piping systems or centrifuges and filters causes purifier and filter chokes.
Compatibility issues lead to:
Formation of flocculation or separation of asphaltenes, precipitating sludge, blocked filters and separators.
On the engines increased wear and tear, higher black carbon emissions and even
Fires in engines were observed.
All those reported problems were caused by the fact that the blended VLSFOs are of inhomogeneous structure. To solve these problems it is necessary to homogenize the VLSFO.
“The mechanism of the blending process itself is equally important. The components must be completely homogenized, and this is extremely difficult to achieve without efficient blending equipment.” Shell brochure “Bunker Quality”
By using the LR and BV approved S.I.T CD92 Homogenizer, the inhomogeneous, instable and incompatible VLSFOs easily can be converted into homogeneous, stable and compatible structure, so that reported problems will not any longer occur.
If you are interested to hear how it works, please feel free to contact us and we can send information material or do a Skype Technical Presentation.
Brgds, Heino Stache[Skype: Heinzicd92