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One of the vessel I served as Second Engineer suffered a sudden microbial degradation and
infestation which caused USD 20000000 on engine repair and a 30 days of laid up with further
consequent losses.
The ship was about 20 years old with no history of Microbial attack on lube oil and the lube oil
samples were sent ashore and “green” reply without any remarks was received from shore based
just 2 weeks before the actual MD occurred.
There are three basic types of microorganisms that cause problems in the marine industry,
these are bacteria, yeasts and moulds.
Bacteria
Bacteria is a highly dissimilar group of single celled organisms with firm cell walls. They
may be rod like, spherical or spiral and many are actively travelling with a whip like
attachment.
They can reproduce asexually and rapidly using binary fission with a doubling time of as
low as 20 minutes. They are design to reproduce rapidly, some are able to produce
extremely resistant bacteria’s which can withstand high temperatures and disinfectants.
Although they prefer neutral or slightly alkaline environments some can exist in the
extremes of acid. They can emit partial breakdown products on which other forms of
bacteria can feed.
In addition they can produce large amounts of extra-cellular slime which coats and
stabilizes the living environment. This slime can protect against or deactivate biocides.
This slime can prevent the diffusion of oxygen to the base of the growth and thereby
promote Sulphate Reducing Bacteria which are particularly aggressive.
Yeasts
Yeasts are unicellular, being ovoid or spherical in shape, some may also produce simple
filaments.
They reproduce by budding and growing off the parent until large enough to separate.
This process may take several hours.
Unlike bacteria yeasts prefer slightly acidic environment.
Moulds
SRB are a specific group of anaerobic bacteria with special growth requirements. They
can only use simple carbon compounds therefore they require the presence of other
microbes.
They will produce hydrogen Sulphide in the presence of sulphur containing compounds
such as sulphates found in sea water.
* Microbes thrive in small amounts of water (condensation quantities) at the oil-water interface,
they dislike movement and most are unable to grow below 10oC or survive above 70oC.
* Ideal growth conditions are at temperatures of 25- 40oC when conditions are stagnant and there
are ample nutrients; phosphorous and nitrogen. These are available from Bilge water, coastal
waters, Lub oil / fuel oil additives, some corrosion inhibitors, sewage and food wastes.
EFFECTS OF MICROBES
1. Corrosion due to:
(c)SRB, producing hydrogen sulphide and associated ions which are highly aggressive to steel
and yellow metals. Once the aerobic strains have consumed all the dissolved O2, the metal
corroding SRB (Sulphate reducing bacteria) is activated which start attacking steel work.
2. Stabilization of water content (usually acidic) in oil making it very difficult to remove.
3. Attack lub oil base stock and additives with consequent changes in oil viscosity, and
properties which reduce lubrication and load bearing capabilities.
4. Blocking of filters and restriction of flow in pipework.
SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION
Microbes can be found in, distillate fuel, lub oil, cooling systems, bilge’s/retention tanks
and ballast water. Infection may be from: Bunkers (Distillate fuel and lub oil),
contaminated coastal water in bilge’s and ballast systems.
INDICATIONS OF CONTAMINATION
1. Stable water content after purification.
2. Increased acidity of oils.
3. Unusual smells (rotten eggs).
4. More frequent filter and valve plugging.
5. Heat exchanger performance falling off.
6. Sliminess of the oil, apparent in crankcases with paint work discoloration / removal.
(Deposits on tank surfaces are the texture of wallpaper paste)
7. Black staining of white metal bearings & copper alloys.
8. Corrosion of unprotected steelwork, journals, fuel pumps, injectors and pitting of tank
surfaces (SRB produce deep shinny pits)
PREVENTION MEASURES
Good housekeeping which will include:
TREATMENT OF INFECTIONS
Expert help is required to treat infections which may include use of biocides, heat treatment and
complete manual cleaning of system components & pipe lines. Environmental considerations
must be made when disposing of dead microbes and associated water.
Representative sampling
It is vital that the oil tests are carried out on a representative sample, i.e. one that closely matches
the oil which is normally flowing into the engine. The following procedure is recommended
under the CIMAC code of practice which will be used in conjunction with normal codes of safe
practice to ensure oil spray onto hot surfaces does not occur.
– High water content is a definite indication of a water ingress into the system which could be a
leaky piston cooling pipe, leaky heat exchangers, Purifiers malfunctioning, Leaky liner which
leaks past the cross head.
– Due to water ingress the lube oil is attacked by bacteria and microbes which convert the lube to
be highly acidic this is the reason for the deterioration of the TBN value.
ACTION
– In the first place, source of water contamination should be traced and eliminated.
– Water should be removed from the system after stopping the engine allowing the circulating oil
time to settle down.
– In case a drain plug or valve is fitted it may be possible to drain out the water. Alternatively,
consideration may be given to transferring the oil, using a drain or transfer pump or even a
portable pump, into a settling tank, applying heating steam, settling and draining the water out.
-Water may be removed by centrifugal in case if the separator is connected to the engine sump.