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With two important fuel regulations implemented this year the EU Directive 2005/33/EC 0.1% sulphur limit on Jan 1 and the MARPOL Annex VI 1.00% sulphur cap in the Emission Control Areas on Jul 1 Mr Wetterhus says the demand for low sulphur fuel is steadily rising, and this could in turn cause catalyst fine contents in blended products to go up. He explains: Residual fuels and particularly low sulphur products are made by blending residues with cutter stocks like cycle oil slurry, which may contain large quantities of catalyst fines. If the fuel treatment plant is not operating at an efficiency required to reduce the catalyst fines to safe levels before the fuel is consumed, the risk of increased engine wear and damage is very real. Describing how the damage may be inflicted, Mr Wetterhus says catalyst fine particles in the fuel may be forced into the running surfaces of cylinder liners and piston rings. These particles act like sandpaper on contact with the surfaces, escalating wear rates and hence shortening the time between overhaul. In severe cases, the resulting engine damages could compromise the safety of crew, cargo and carrier, Mr Wetterhus warns. By coupling the new Catalyst Fine Particle Size Distribution Screening with DNVPS existing Fuel System Check programme, Mr Wetterhus says information on catalyst fine particle size and quantity will help the ship crew make more precise adjustments to improve the fuel treatment plant s performance. For example, the crew may be alerted to increase the centrifuge operating temperature or to change the throughput so as to better protect the engine from serious wear situations. In some cases, increased wear rates which Fuel System Check results attribute to insufficient fuel treatment efficiency, have led shipowners to replace old or under-sized separators with those of more recent design and larger capacity. Major ship owners like Odfjell and engine makers such as MAN Diesel & Turbo are supporting DNVPS latest innovation through R&D collaborations. Says MAN Diesel & Turbo senior engineer Henrik Rolsted: DNVPS introduction of a particle size screening service is very timely, given the fuel quality developments we are seeing today. As a preventive measure, it is prudent for ship operators to regularly monitor both the size and quantity of catalyst fines before the fuel is channelled into the ship engine. For more information on the DNVPS Catalyst Fine Particle Size Distribution Screening service, visit DNV (Hall B2.EG, Stand No. 210) at SMM 2010, the 24th International Shipbuilding, Machinery & Marine Technology Trade Fair. Please contact: At SMM 2010 Knut-Helge Knutsen Regional Manager DNV Petroleum Services Office: +47 67 57 74 54 / Mobile: +47 977 53 544 Email: Knut-Helge.Knutsen@dnv.com Nicole Jacob Customer Service Manager DNV Petroleum Services Office: +49 40 890 590 51 / Mobile: +49 173 5475874 Email: Nicole.Jacob@dnv.com
Charlotte Rojgaard Senior Technical Consultant DNV Petroleum Services Office: +65 6887 6031 / Mobile: +65 9235 1220 Email: Charlotte.Rojgaard@dnvps.com David Wong Communications & Marketing Manager DNV Petroleum Services Office: +65 68876059 / Mobile: +65 92311338 Email: david.wong@dnvps.com Date: 2010 -09-07 Author: