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BULLETIN
RT-113
Issue 3, 10.04.2012
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
RT-113
Issue 3, Page 2 / 14
Contents
Introduction
Background
Principle
Cylinder lubricating oil feed rate adjustment
Adjustment of cylinder lubricating oil feed rate
Limitation
Contacts
Page
2
3
3
4
7
13
13
Introduction
Note:
This Technical Bulletin supersedes Technical Bulletin RT-113, Issue 2, dated
17.11.2011, entitled Sulphur-dependent cylinder oil feed rate.
A trend towards more frequent operation of Wrtsil RTA and RT-flex engines at
low load has recently been observed. Loads below 60% CMCR are considered
as low loads in this service bulletin.
For detailed information concerning low-load operation, please consult the
Service Bulletin RTA-79.2 or RT-flex-08.2, dated 11.03.2009, entitled
Continuous Low Load Operation (Slow Steaming).
It has been shown that during low-load operation, a more pronounced tendency
for corrosion can be observed on the cylinder liner and piston rings, in some
cases leading to scuffing between the two surfaces. This corrosion indicates that
the neutralisation and detergency provided by the lubricant at the given feed rate
could be improved. Lubrication feed rates in relation to the sulphur content of the
Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) enhance the supply of neutralising and cleaning additives
to the piston ring / cylinder liner system.
In response to a number of piston running issues linked to the corrosion of the
liner or of the piston ring, or both, in some Wrtsil RTA and RT-flex engines, a
decision has been taken to introduce a sulphur-dependency of the cylinder
lubricating oil feed rate.
The introduction of this new setting is irrespective of the lubricating system in
use.
Note:
When the engine is to be operated for a prolonged period of time (longer than 12
hours) at less than 60% nominal power, sulphur-dependency is required.
Otherwise the feed rate can be set according to the Service Bulletin RT-18.4,
dated 09.06.2009.
Remark:
To adjust the lubricating oil feed rate depending on the sulphur content of fuel is
a known method and it is mentioned e.g. in the CIMAC publication Number
15/1997: Guidelines for lubrication of two-stroke crosshead diesel engines.
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
RT-113
Issue 3, Page 3 / 14
Background
For normal operating conditions, a high-alkaline marine cylinder oil of the SAE 50
viscosity grade with a minimum kinematic viscosity of 18.5 cSt at 100 C is
recommended, please refer to the Operating Manual.
The alkalinity of the lubricating oil is indicated by its Base Number (BN) 1 and
should be chosen with consideration to the sulphur content of the HFO in use.
With a higher sulphur content, a higher alkalinity of the cylinder oil is necessary to
provide an increase in neutralisation, detergency and dispersancy.
Generally, as well as a direct measure of the alkalinity, the BN of a lubricant is
also an indication for the detergency. For low sulphur residual HFO, a low BN
lubricating oil should be used. The reason for this is that the lubricating oil offers
sufficient detergency to prevent the formation of deposits in the piston ring pack.
For running-in of cylinder liners and piston rings, as well as for feed rate
adjustment, please refer to the appropriate sections in the Operating Manual and
Service Bulletin RT-18.4, dated 09.06.2009, Running-in of Cylinder Liners and
Piston Rings.
Important:
It is essential that the lubricating oil feed rate is adjusted each time the sulphur
content of the HFO in use changes and engine load is below 60% for more than
12 hours. Optimisation of lube oil feed rates, based on the sulphur content in the
HFO, will prevent over- or under-lubrication.
Principle
Experience has shown that during low-load operation the likelihood of acid
creation in the cylinder increases. More particularly, the conversion of the sulphur
in the HFO into sulphuric acid would be increased when the engine is being
operated at low load.
Neutralisation of acidic components is achieved by the alkaline additives which
are present in the cylinder lubricating oil.
Remark:
The neutralisation of the sulphuric acid produced during engine operation by the
calcium based additives follows the simplified equation:
CaCO3 + H2SO4
Some cylinder oil formulations contain ashless detergents which also neutralise
sulphuric and other acids formed during fuel combustion in engines.
Moreover, one has to bear in mind that the functions of the additives are:
Creation of a protective boundary film on the liner and piston ring surface
Provision of dispersancy
Provision of detergency.
1
The Base Number or BN was formerly known as Total Base Number or TBN. Only the name has changed,
values remain identical.
RT-113
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Issue 3, Page 4 / 14
BN 40
BN 50
BN 60
BN 70
0.60
1.3
1.6
2.0
2.3
0.65
1.4
1.8
2.1
2.5
0.70
1.5
1.9
2.3
2.7
0.75
1.6
2.0
2.4
2.8
3.0
0.80
1.7
2.2
2.6
0.85
1.8
2.3
2.8
3.2
0.90
1.9
2.4
2.9
3.4
0.95
2.6
3.1
3.6
1.00
2.7
3.3
3.8
1.05
2.9
3.4
4.0
1.10
3.0
3.6
4.2
1.15
3.1
3.8
4.4
1.20
3.3
3.9
4.5
1.25
3.4
1.30
3.5
1.35
B
1.40
1.45
1.50
1.55
1.60
RT-113
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Issue 3, Page 5 / 14
Adjustment factor
0.47
0.37
0.31
0.27
Table 2
Sulphur dependency for PLS 2 systems and any system with a recommended base
feed rate of 0.8 g/kWh at CMRC
2
1.8
1.6
LOFR(g/kWh)
1.4
BN 50
1.2
BN 60 BN 70
BN 40
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0
0.5
1.5
2.5
3.5
SulphurcontentinHFO(%)
4.5
RT-113
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Issue 3, Page 6 / 14
Sulphur dependency for CLU-3 3 lubricating systems and any system with a
recommended base feed rate of 1.1 g/kWh at CMCR
2
1.8
BN 40
1.6
BN 60
2
1.4
LOFR(g/kWh)
BN 50
BN 70
3
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0
0.5
1.5
2.5
3.5
SulphurcontentinHFO(%)
4.5
RT-113
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Issue 3, Page 7 / 14
BN 40
0.0
0.80
0.1
0.80
0.80
0.2
0.80
0.80
BN 60
BN 70
0.80
0.3
0.80
0.80
0.4
0.80
0.80
0.5
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.6
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.7
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.8
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.9
0.80
0.80
0.80
1.0
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.80
1.1
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.80
1.2
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.80
1.3
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.80
1.4
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.80
1.5
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.80
1.6
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.80
1.7
0.80
0.80
0.80
0.80
1.8
0.85
0.80
0.80
0.80
1.9
0.90
0.80
0.80
0.80
2.0
0.95
0.80
0.80
0.80
2.1
0.80
0.80
0.80
2.2
0.80
0.80
0.80
2.3
0.85
0.80
0.80
2.4
0.90
0.80
0.80
2.5
0.95
0.80
0.80
2.6
0.95
0.80
0.80
2.7
1.00
0.85
0.80
2.8
1.05
0.85
0.80
2.9
1.05
0.90
0.80
3.0
1.10
0.95
0.80
3.1
1.15
0.95
0.85
3.2
1.20
1.00
0.85
3.3
1.20
1.00
0.90
3.4
1.25
1.05
0.90
1.30
1.10
0.95
1.10
0.95
1.10
1.00
3.8
1.10
1.05
3.9
1.10
1.05
4.0
1.10
1.10
4.1
1.10
4.2
1.15
4.3
1.15
4.4
1.20
4.5
1.20
3.5
3.6
3.7
BN 50
Adjusted lubricating oil feed rate setting from 0.8 g/kWh to new value
Lubricating oil feed rate setting for temporary use
Table 3
RT-113
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Issue 3, Page 8 / 14
CLU-3 feed rate setting table for lubricating oils with engines operating
below 60% CMCR
Sulphur content
(%)
BN 40
BN 50
0.0
1.10
0.1
1.10
1.10
0.2
1.10
1.10
BN 60
BN 70
0.3
1.10
1.10
0.4
1.10
1.10
0.5
1.10
1.10
1.10
0.6
1.10
1.10
1.10
0.7
1.10
1.10
1.10
0.8
1.10
1.10
1.10
0.9
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.0
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.1
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.2
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.3
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.4
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.5
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.6
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.7
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.8
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.9
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.10
2.0
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.10
2.1
1.10
1.10
1.10
2.2
1.10
1.10
1.10
2.3
1.10
1.10
1.10
2.4
1.10
1.10
1.10
2.5
1.10
1.10
1.10
2.6
1.10
1.10
1.10
2.7
1.10
1.10
1.10
2.8
1.10
1.10
1.10
2.9
1.10
1.10
1.10
3.0
1.10
1.10
1.10
3.1
1.15
1.10
1.10
3.2
1.20
1.10
1.10
3.3
1.20
1.10
1.10
3.4
1.25
1.10
1.10
3.5
1.30
1.10
1.10
3.6
1.10
1.10
3.7
1.15
1.10
3.8
1.20
1.10
3.9
1.20
1.10
4.0
1.25
1.10
4.1
1.10
4.2
1.10
4.3
1.15
4.4
1.20
4.5
1.20
Adjusted lubricating oil feed rate setting from 1.10 g/kWh to new value
Lubricating oil feed rate setting for temporary use
Table 4
RT-113
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Issue 3, Page 9 / 14
Adjustment examples
Example 1
Conditions:
1. A HFO with a sulphur content of 2 % is to be used.
2. The cylinder lubricating oil in use is a BN 50 oil.
3. The lubricating system is RPLS 4 .
4. The adjusted base cylinder LOFR is 0.8 g/kWh.
Result:
The sulphur content is below the HFO SBP which is 2.2 %, see Table 1.
There is no need to adjust the feed rate as a function of the HFO sulphur
content.
Sulphur dependency
2
1.8
1.6
LOFR(g/kWh)
1.4
BN 50
1.2
BN 60 BN 70
BN 40
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0
0.5
1.5
2.5
SulphurcontentinHFO(%)
3.5
4.5
RT-113
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Issue 3, Page 10 / 14
Example 2
Conditions:
1. A HFO with a sulphur content of 3.9 % is to be used.
2. The cylinder lubricating oil in use is a BN 70 oil.
3. The lubricating system is Pulse feed.
4. The adjusted base cylinder LOFR is 0.9 g/kWh.
Result:
The sulphur content is above the HFO SBP which is 3.4 %, see Table 1.
The cylinder lubricating oil feed rate must be adjusted to 1.05 g/kWh, see
Table 3.
Sulphur dependency
2
1.8
1.6
LOFR(g/kWh)
1.4
BN 50
BN 60 BN 70
1.2
BN 40
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0
0.5
1.5
2.5
SulphurcontentinHFO(%)
3.5
4.5
RT-113
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Issue 3, Page 11 / 14
Example 3
Conditions:
1. A HFO with a sulphur content of 3.2 % is to be used.
2. The cylinder lubricating oil in use is a BN 70 oil.
3. The lubricating system is Pulse jet.
4. The adjusted base cylinder LOFR is 0.8 g/kWh.
Result:
The sulphur content is above the HFO SBP which is 3.0 %, see Table 1.
The cylinder lubricating oil feed rate must be adjusted to 0.85 g/kWh, see
Table 3.
Sulphur dependency
2
1.8
1.6
LOFR(g/kWh)
1.4
BN 50
BN 60 BN 70
1.2
BN 40
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0
0.5
1.5
2.5
SulphurcontentinHFO(%)
3.5
4.5
RT-113
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Issue 3, Page 12 / 14
Example 4
Conditions:
1. A HFO with a sulphur content of 2.2 % is to be used.
2. The cylinder lubricating oil in use is a BN 70 oil.
3. The lubricating system is CLU-3.
4. The adjusted base cylinder LOFR is 1.1 g/kWh.
Result:
The sulphur content is below the HFO SBP which is 4.2 %, see Table 1.
The cylinder lubricating oil feed rate must be kept at 1.1 g/kWh, see Table 4.
Sulphur dependency
2
1.8
BN 40
1.6
BN 50
BN 60
BN 70
LOFR(g/kWh)
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0
0.5
1.5
2.5
SulphurcontentinHFO(%)
3.5
4.5
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
RT-113
Issue 3, Page 13 / 14
Limitation
The lubrication procedure as described may not be used in the territorial waters
of Germany, China, the Republic of Korea or Japan unless it is used on a vessel
registered in a country being a contracting party to the Paris Convention for the
Protection of Intellectual Property, except Germany, China, the Republic of Korea
or Japan and unless said vessel is travelling in said territorial waters only
temporarily.
Contacts
How to contact Wrtsil
For questions about the content of this Technical Bulletin, or if you need Wrtsil
assistance, services, spare parts and/or tools, please contact your nearest
Wrtsil representative.
If you dont have the contact details at hand, please follow the link Contact us
24h Services on the Wrtsil webpage:
www.wartsila.com
RT-113
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Issue 3, Page 14 / 14