VISWA Technical Update: VLSFO Fuels with Contamination

by Viswa Group
Tuesday December 10, 2019

As 1.1.2020 approaches, the supply of VLSFO fuels with 0.50% sulfur content has increased globally. These VLSFO fuels are coming from paraffinic and aromatic sources. The quality of these VLSFO's varies greatly with stability, catfines and cold flow properties being of significant concern. Unfortunately, we are also seeing a very high level of contaminants in some of these fuels.

Over the last few weeks, we have identified 6 fuels, 3 bunkered in Rotterdam, 2 in Antwerp and 1 in Singapore with high contamination levels. These fuels had upto a maximum of 4,900 ppm of Styrenes, 7,000 ppm of Indene's, 28,500 ppm of DCPD, 6,000 ppm of phenols and 2,800 ppm of 4‐Cumylphenol.

Presence of these contaminants at high levels has potential to cause purifier sludging, filter choking, fuel pump jamming and problems with fuel injectors. These contaminants are at the highest levels we have seen.

In 2014, the Port Authority of Rotterdam had prepared a list of six "undesirable substances" that should be banned from bunker fuels traded or supplied in the port. Please refer our earlier Technical Updates (TechUpd 2014_5_5 and TechUpd 2015_1_6).

These contaminants should not be present in bunker fuel. At these high levels they are likely to cause machinery problems. For this reason, they will not meet the criteria of Para 5 of ISO 8217.
It is better that you inform the supplier that you will be checking for these contaminants. You can also insist on the supplier providing you with a Certificate Of Quality (COQ) which should included a GCMS analysis.

It is disappointing that when the shipping industry is struggling to adjust to a new fuel, the old ghosts of contamination is adding to the problems.

To assist with questions related to 2020 fuels Viswa has started and in‐house 'Working Group'. You can reach us at wgfuels2020@theviswagroup.com

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like your VLSFO's tested.

About Viswa Group

The Viswa Group is a purpose driven organization with a passion to help the customers in the Marine and Petrochemical Industries. Viswa’s method of working is from inside out. It starts with the question, “Why are we doing this?” and further goes on to “What are we doing?” and then to “How are we doing it?” The dimension of Why is unique to Viswa.

This passion to serve the industry has led Viswa into areas of detailed analysis of the fuels and identifying contaminants and adulterants in the fuel using statistical methods data analysis to pin point problem areas globally. Viswa has developed algorithms and benchmarks to make a complex industry much simpler to understand.

With 8 Labs located Globally, the highly experienced and trained staff at the various Viswa locations works with a single focused objective of customer satisfaction in the areas of Fuels, Lubes, Surveys and Water Testing.

Well-versed in the complex regulatory landscape governing marine fuels, Viswa helps ship owners and operators comply with international standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), ensuring environmental responsibility and safety at sea. Viswa assist ship operators in implementing proactive maintenance strategies to preserve and extend the lifespan of their equipment and reduce operational risks. Viswa is strongly committed to providing solutions to the problems our customers face and to empower our customers by sharing our knowledge, our research, and our problem solving abilities.

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