Bunker Fuel Quality - Ian Workman Account Manager VPS Testing & Inspection Inc - DNVGL.us
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Veritas Petroleum Services - Using Established Knowledge to Solve Problems Established in 1981, VPS pioneered marine fuel testing industry Test Volume: > 100 million tons Marine Fuels bunkered annually. Aprox. 50% Highly Experienced Personnel 24/7 Advisory Service 250 Employees Worlds Largest Fuel Quality Database VPS supply IMO with Sulphur Data from worldwide supplies Represented at IMO, CIMAC, IBIA, ISO, ASTM, IP and other Associations DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
VPS Services Marine Fuel Quality Testing (FQT & FSM) • 4 x ISO17025 Accredited Laboratories Oil Condition Monitoring (OCM) • Fully independent lubricating and hydraulic/gear oil testing Technical Advisory Service • Expert team of marine engineers that understands the application • Interpretation of every OCM and FQT report • Investigative Analysis and Troubleshooting Bunker Quantity Survey (BQS) • Mass Flow Meter Investigations Data Analytics Software and Reporting Sampling Equipment In House Training & Fuel Management Courses Bunker Alerts & Circulars DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
The Fuel Supply Chain • Today’s Marine Fuel Supply Chain can be very complex, with many participants: • Refining Trading Blending Supply Shipping • As fuels pass through this chain there is little in the way of: • Regulation • Traceability • Transparency • Quality Control/Assurance checking DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Crude Oil & Refining • On average, crude oils are made of the following elements or compounds: • Carbon - 84% • Hydrogen - 14% Crude Oil Composition • Sulphur Species- 1 to 3% 100 • Nitrogen compounds-
Marine Fuel Production: Complex Refinery Processes (Catalytic Cracking & Vis-breaking) Distillates Light Cycle Oil Fluidised Bed Catalytic • Crude Oil Atmospheric Cracking Distillation Unit Heavy Cycle Oil Residue Vacuum Typical Blending Components: Distillation Light Cycle Gas Oils (60% Aromatics) Unit Heavy Cycle Gas Oils Additional Processing: Visbreaker Hydro-desulphurisation Residue Can also remove O & N species affecting Fuel lubricity & stability. DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Blending • At the Refinery stage & onwards, marine fuels are subject to blending processes, as the fuel moves through the supply chain. • Cutter stocks, diluents, additives can all be added to achieve certain specification limits, comply with legislation, improve performance, improve profit margins. • “Too many cooks spoil the broth !!” • Also the big questions: are such cutter stocks, diluents, additives quality control checked, traceable, regulated, or even known to the next person in the chain? • Are potential “side-effects” of what’s been blended known? • Do suppliers really know what they are adding? • Blending can change the chemistry of the original fuel, causing instability, sludging & unexpected chemical reactions. DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Fuel Oil composition Aromatics: •Improves stability •Negative impact on ignition properties Paraffins: •May disturb stability •Improves ignition properties •Expensive product GOAL: Balance between Paraffins and Aromatics DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Fuel Stability & Compatibility • Residual fuels contain long chain heavy molecules, “Asphaltenes”, which are polycyclic aromatic compounds held within the solution of the fuel as they are soluble in aromatic solvents but not in aliphatic ones. • The ability of residual fuel to retain asphaltenes in solution is known as the fuels “Stability Reserve”. • Mixing with other fuels can upset the fuel chemistry and cause the asphaltenes to fall out of solution forming a sludge. ie, the fuels are not compatible with each other. • Similarly adding various cutter stocks or blending products can alter the fuel’s chemistry and also cause asphaltenic drop-out and sludging. • In addition, such cutter stocks may lead to “side- reactions” dependent upon fuel handling, storage, temperatures, engine-types, etc. and Styrene polymerization leading to blocked piping and filters. DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Separability Number • Two separate stable fuels when mixed can completely de-stabilise. • In addition when, blending fuel to meet ISO8217, stability is a concern. • What is it? • Separability number (SN), or Reserve Stability Number (RSN), indicates the resistance of a residual fuel oil to form sludge. • What does it tell us? • Hot filtration methods such as TSP will indicate the amount of sediment present in a fuel oil. SN will indicate the likelihood that this sediment will flocculate and form fuel sludge. • The results of the test are expressed on a scale from 0 to 15, where: • 5 - 10-15 = Poor stability reserve DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Separability Number • Why is it requested? • Separability number is an excellent accompaniment to the routine hot filtration methods. It can identify potentially troublesome fuels (unstable) even when the HFT method is indicating a low sediment content. Conversely, it may indicate that a high sediment fuel is in fact quite stable and unlikely to form sludge. This information in combination, is extremely useful from an operational perspective, as it will indicate in advance if and what mitigation steps are appropriate. 0.20 Operational Problems Likely TSP % 0.10 Operational Problems 0.01 Unlikely 5 10 15 Separability Number DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Enviro-Legislation & Blending Impact on Fuel Quality VPS Past 5-year Bunker Alert History 70 ECA Limit 1.0% sulphur 60 50 ECA Change to 0.1% Sulphur No. of Alerts 40 30 20 10 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Residual Distillate Total DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Global Fuel Quality • Currently 15% of all residual fuels and VPS Bunker Alerts by Test Parameter - 2017 9% of all distillates fuels tested exceed 14 12 the ISO8217 test specification for at No. of Alerts 10 8 least one parameter. 6 4 • In 2017 VPS released 58 “Bunker Alerts” 2 0 of which 36 (62%) were related to Residual fuel & 22(38%) related to Distillate fuel quality. Residual Distillate • This was a 70% increase on 2016 Distillate Bunker Alerts, and a 30% VPS Bunker Alert Volumes by Region - 2017 increase on 2016 for Residual Bunker 7 Alerts 6 5 No. of alerts • 2017: More fuel issues in Europe & 4 Americas than AMEA. 3 2 • H1-2018: 33 Bunker Alerts 1 0 • 18 x Residual (55%), 15 x Distillate (45%) Residual Distillate Residual Distillate Residual Distillate Residual Distillate • 14 x Americas, 13 x Europe, 6 x AMEA Q1 Q1 Q2 Q2 Q3 Q3 Q4 Q4 Americas Europe Middle East Asia • Key Parameters, Contaminants, Cat-Fines, FP DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Forensic Detection of Fuel Contaminants • 2020 will see an increase in Number & Types of Fuel, wider use of Diluents, Cutter Stocks, Additives, Blending. • All the above can alter the fuels chemistry, potentially destabilising, and even damaging side-effects. • Original Fuel source and refining also influences fuel quality: • Eg Crude types and regions, Shale Oil, Tall Oil etc. • There will be an increase in fuel quality issues. • Estimated Average Cost of each fuel Mgmt issue = $300K • Laboratories are now using many high-end analytical techniques and methods to identify the cause of fuel problems: • Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (GCMS): Chemical Screening, Extended Head-Space, Acid Extraction, Vacuum distillation • Fourier Transform Infrared – (FTIR), Solids contamination, Polymers • Microscopy – Solids and polymer identification • Separability No., Reserve Stability No. (RSN) – Compliment TSP/TSA/TSE • CHNO Analysis (Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen) • Steel Corrosion DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Potential Fuel Contaminants Chemical Group Comment Chlorinated hydrocarbons do not originate from any refinery processes and are therefore an indication CHLORINATED that the fuel is possibly contaminated. Based on VPS experience, these contaminants may result in HYDROCARBONS damages to fuel injection equipment. Aldehydes do not originate from normal petroleum refining and are therefore an indication that the ALDEHYDE fuel is possibly contaminated. Based on VPS experience, these contaminants may result in damages to fuel injection equipment. Alcohol does not originate from normal petroleum refining. Based on VPS experience, these ALCOHOL contaminants may result in increased sludge formation and possibly laquering and/or deposit formation. Styrenes do not originate from normal petroleum refining but are known to be present in some blend STYRENES stocks for fuel oils. Based on VPS experience, these contaminants may result in increased sludge formation and possibly laquering and/or deposit formation. Terpenes do not originate from any refinery processes and are therefore an indication that the fuel is TERPENES possibly contaminated. Based on VPS experience, these contaminants may result in increased sludge formation and /or damages to fuel injection equipment. DCPD does not originate from normal petroleum refining but are known to be present in some blend CYCLOPENTADIENE stocks for fuel oils. Based on VPS experience, these contaminants may result in increased sludge formation and possibly laquering and/or deposit formation. Phenols do not originate from normal petroleum refining. Based on VPS experience, these PHENOLS contaminants may result in increased sludge formation and /or damages to fuel injection equipment. Ketones do not originate from any refinery processes and are therefore an indication that the KETONES fuel is possibly contaminated. Based on VPS experience, these contaminants may result in damages to fuel injection equipment. DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
The Common Denominator – Probable Culprit 4-Cumyl-Phenol CAS # 599-64-4 Industrial uses for cumyl phenol include the manufacture of epoxy resins and as an emulsifier in pesticides, both of which utilise the adhesive (sticky) qualities 4-cumyl-phenol exhibits. Component is only detectable using the sophisticated GCMS technique, GCMS acid extraction DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Fuel Specification – ISO 8217 Distillate Test Parameters Test Methods Residual Fuel DMA DMZ DMB Density, kg/m3 @ 15C ISO12185/ASTM D7042 X X X X Viscosity, mm2/s at 50oC ISO 3104/ASTM D7042 X Viscosity, mm2/s at 40oC ISO 3104/ASTM D7042 X X X Water content, % V/V ISO 3733/ASTM D 6304 Proc.C X XB Typical specification tables do not address Micro Carbon Residue, % m/m ISO 10370 X X individual chemical contaminants by name. Micro Carbon Residue, Protections against harmful chemical ISO 10370 X X 10% distillation residue, % m/m contaminants are contained in the verbiage of Sulphur, % m/m ISO 8754 X X X X Total Sediment Potential, % m/m ISO 10307-2 * X ISO-8217. Important for buyers and Total Sediment Existent, %m/m ISO 10307-1 XB consumers to understand the specification. Ash, % m/m LP 1001 ** X X X X Vanadium, mg/kg LP 1101/IP 501 X XA Sodium, mg/kg LP 1101/IP 501 X XA Aluminium, mg/kg ISO 10478/IP 501 X XA Silicon, mg/kg ISO 10478/IP 501 X XA Iron, mg/kg LP 1101/IP 501 X XA Nickel, mg/kg LP 1101/IP 501 X XA Calcium, mg/kg LP 1101/IP 501 X XA Magnesium, mg/kg LP 1101 *** X XA Zinc, mg/kg LP 1101/IP 501 X XA Phosphorus, mg/kg LP 1101/IP 501 X XA Potassium, mg/kg LP 1101 *** X XA Flash Point, Deg C ISO 2719 - (A / B)/LP 1503 X X X X Pour Point, Deg C ISO 3016/LP 1304/LP 1305 X X X X Visual Appearance Proprietary (LP 1902) X X X Specific Energy (net), MJ/kg ISO 8217 Annex A X X X X Calculated Carbon Aromaticity Index ISO 8217, Annex B X Calculated Cetane Index, CCI ASTM D4737 X X X Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) EN 14078/LP 2403 X X X LP 2403/LP 2404/ASTM Acid Number X X X X D664/LP 2003 FTIR Screening LP 2403 X X X DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
ISO-8217:2017 Edition 5.2 The fuel shall be free from any material at a concentration that causes the fuel to be unacceptable for use in accordance with Clause 1 (i.e. material not at a concentration that is harmful to personnel, jeopardizes the safety of the ship, or adversely affects the performance of the machinery). Your shield against chemically contaminated fuels. Review Your Purchasing Contract Terms and Language DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
What is or rather isn’t happening? DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Identification of Fuel Oil Contaminants by GC-MS Chromatography = Separation Mas Spec = Identification DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
GCMS-HS Screening & Extended HS • GCMS-Head Space Screening detects only volatile organic components within residual fuels • GCMS-HS Screening should detect around 70% of most fuel contaminants • In 2018, YTD Samples tested show: • 92% “PASS” • 8% “Caution” • The distribution of detected component groups based on GCMS HS-Extended testing where Screening shows “Caution”: DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Five Flavors of GCMS Testing Test Turnaround Time Description This is a quick and economical test used to detect the presence of the most common chemical contaminants in GCMS Screen Headspace 2 Working Days fuels. It does not identify the contaminant nor provide quantification This test identifies the names of the contaminants but does GCMS Extended Headspace 3 Working Days not quantify the concentration level. This test identifies the contaminants and also quantifies the GCMS Vacuum Distillate 5 Working Days concentration level in most cases of the above 2 tests. This test is used for isolating organic acids from a sample. The concentrated acid extract is then analyzed by GCMS. This GCMS Acid Extraction 10 Working Days method will identify the names of the contaminants but will not provide concentration level This test is used for isolating organic acids from a sample. The concentrated acid extract is then analyzed by GCMS. This GCMS Acid Extraction With Quantification 10 Working Days method will identify the names of the contaminants and will also provide concentration level of each contaminant in % m/m DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
VPS Technical Focus: ASTM test method for contaminated bunkers ‘limited’ ASTM D7845-17, also known as the Standard Test Method for Determination of Chemical Species in Marine Fuel Oil by Multidimensional Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GCMS), has been developed to quantify chemical species at low levels in marine fuels oils and cutter stocks. However, it seems there are certain limitations of this test method. Dr Malcolm Cooper, the Group Managing Director of marine fuel testing and inspection agency Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) explains to Manifold Times readers the limitation of using ASTM D7845-17 as a test method for detecting 4-cumyl phenol found in contaminated marine fuel: The test method ASTM D7845 lists 29 specific chemicals that may be detected and measured within the test method, and this is a good method when looking for these compounds. However, this is not an exhaustive list and does not cover how to handle any “unknowns” which may be present in the fuel sample. Since there are literally thousands of possible organic contaminants that may be present in the fuel, the specific 29 chemicals named in the test method is a major limitation. Also, since 4-cumyl phenol is not amongst the 29 named chemicals, and this was the major compound we detected in the Houston fuel issue, this indicates another of the limitations of using this method. These limitations are the reason that VPS does not use this method. ASTM D7845-17 uses direct injection onto a GCMS via a Deans valve-switching arrangement, whereby a sample is injected onto a pre-column prior to an analytical column, with the pre-column being back-flushed to remove heavy fuel oil components (as the only sample preparation prior to analysis). This valve-switching pre-column arrangement eliminates the higher boiling hydrocarbons in the fuel oil and can prevent high boiling chemicals from reaching the analytical column. The D7845 method detects 4-isopropyl phenol (Boiling Point 212C), but not 4-cumyl phenol (Boiling Point 335C). The method lists 29 specific compounds that can be detected, which are quantified using Single Ion Monitoring (SIM). In order to apply SIM then the organic compound must be known prior to analysis (in order to identify the SIM mass number) and when dealing with problem fuel samples then this organic contaminant is not known, which is a limitation of the method. It should be noted that the VPS Acid-Extraction GCMS method, transfers all acidic compounds from the fuel oil through extraction as a sample clean-up and extraction treatment prior to the sample being directly injected into the GCMS. This sample pre- treatment method eliminates all hydrocarbon compounds in the fuel oil since they are not acidic and do not enter the aqueous phase during extraction. The method is semi-quantitative and highly selective for acidic compounds such as carboxylic acids, phenols, etc. Also, the total acidic content in the fuel oil is quantitatively measured. DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Quality Issues - HOUSTON • Jan-May over 100 vessels suffered fuel pump failure issues from fuel supplied in Houston • To date, approximately 150 vessels affected. • VPS investigated fuel-pump failures >50 vessels on our testing programme • VPS Bunker Alerts released, 26th April, 29th May, 25th June. • Fuel is not single supplier specific. • 10 suppliers • 20 Delivery Barges • Indications suggest Upstream somewhere between Refinery but before final supplier? • 4-Cumyl Phenol found in Concentration range 300-1000ppm. • Detected by VPS “In-house” proprietary method utilising Acid Extraction/Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. • Findings Verified in two VPS laboratories (Singapore & Fujairah) • Verified 4-cumyl phenol only seen in Houston fuels. • 4-cumyl phenol used to manufacture resins and emulsifiers due to its “sticky” properties. • Phenolic compounds found in fuel since 2007. All resulted in sticking fuel pumps. DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
VPS Issued a Number of Bunker Alerts DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Other Quality Issues • Corpus Christi • Sludging of Fuel/filter blocking: 4 vessels with Petroleum Coke contamination • Panama • Poly-methacrylate found in fuel via solids contamination analysis - sticking fuel pumps. • Plus 20 vessels affected by Houston-type contaminants • Singapore • 10 vessels affected by Houston-type contaminants • Colombo • Contaminated fuel but limited number & low concentrations of chemicals. • Of all the AE-GCMS tests undertaken by VPS in 5 months: 17% cases were linked to serious damage on the associated vessels. • Columbia: 10 cases of (very) high sediment fuels • Not all vessels having these fuels have already burnt the fuel, the majority do not report problems. • Feedback from one vessel (out of 10 high sediment fuels) is that they needed to clean the separators more often, but other than that, experienced no problems burning the fuel. DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Seized Fuel Pump DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Barrels Require Forced “Jacking” To Remove DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Heavy Deposits On Screw Pump DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Distillates • As a result of local and global emissions legislation the demand for distillate fuels in the marine market will increase substantially. • • The perception has been, Distillates are • Fuel Change-over issues Low viscosity issues “Problem Free”??? • Hydro-desulphurisation o Decreased Lubricity • Not All Distillates are Low in Sulphur and o Reduced Stability require some degree of treatment. • Wax Precipitation due to Cold-flow properties • Low Flash Point • On 1st Jan 2015 VPS saw sample submissions move from: 80:20 Residual:Distillate to • FAME: Increase in oxidative capabilities 60:40 Residual:Distillate. Instability Erosion of metal • What will we see on 1st Jan 2020? Deterioration of engine seals Increases fuels affinity for water leading to microbial growth & corrosion Microbial contamination Distillate quality problems may become much more common with increased demand. DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
ULSFO/Hybrids • The 0.1% S ECA limit was an opportunity for suppliers who have direct contact with refineries to launch a number of new fuels • In many cases these fuels were just heavier grades of gas oil that have been around for a long time • The principle purpose of these new grades was to provide a fuel that met the ECA sulfur limit but had a relatively high viscosity, overcoming the potential risks associated with very low viscosity gas oils • A significant characteristic of some of these new ECA fuels is that the cold flow properties, stability and compatibility, could present a challenge on some ships. • Density 860-920Kg/m3, Viscosity 8-50 CSt • Low Metals, Low Sediment Potential • High Energy Content, High Pour Point • Compatibility? Stability? DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Typical Specs – All Over The Board Parameter Unit limit Fuel A Fuel B Fuel C Fuel D Fuel E Fuel F Fuel G Density @ 15°C kg/m³ max 895-915 936 850-890 923 858 870 910 Kin. Visco @ 40°C / 50°C mm²/s min/max 40-75/25-45 17 6-13 61 17 8 65 Ash % m/m max
ULSFOs - 2020? • As we approach 2020, its likely more new fuels will come to the market offering compliance at
Testing Recommendations – Circular Friday 11 th Jan 2019 DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Testing Recommendations • Residual Fuels • Distillate Fuels • ISO8217:2010/12,17 • ISO8217:2010/12,17 • Chemical Screening (GCMS-HS) • Cold-Flow (CP, CFPP) • Separability Number (RSN) • Lubricity (Sulphur
Oil Majors BP displayed 2 samples of new Hybrid Fuels that they have developed. They performed nearly 100 hand blends in the research process. One of them is a cracked aromatic with very low pour (-30C ?). The other is highly paraffinic with high pour (18 C ?) Paraffinic fuel has better combustion characteristics. BP wants the industry to look at the possibility of developing Aromaticity and Paraffinic ratings that could be assigned to hybrid fuels in order to help predict compatibility among them. ExxonMobil has announced that all of their hybrid fuels will be compatible with each other. ExxonMobil has also advised that some of the new 0.5% sulfur fuels could contain elevated levels of catfines. DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
FSC Sample Points A recommended set of Fuel System Check samples consists of one sample taken from each of the following locations: As a minimum before and after separator samples should be drawn and forwarded to the laboratory for analysis. DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Handling / Operational Issues • Always segregate bunker lots. No mixing. • New fuel should not be used before analysis results are known • If mixing is unavoidable perform a compatibility test beforehand. • Use empty tanks or ensure tanks are drained as much as possible before loading a new fuel • Be aware of specific heating requirements for hybrid fuels due to varying viscosities. Minimum storage temp should be 10°C above pour point. • Low viscosity ECA distillates may require chilling for proper viscosity control prior to injectors. • Some ECA fuels have a “cleansing” effect on storage tanks and pipelines. Suggest cleaning tanks in advance. If not possible, be prepared for additional sludge at the purifier. Consider reducing sludge cycle time at purifiers during initial changeover. • In-line auto filters may backwash more frequently due to cleansing effect. VPS DATA SHOWS THAT HYBRID FUELS ARE MORE SENSITIVE TO MIXING DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
BlockChain BlockChain Processes: Applied to fuel supply could assist with improving: • Product Quality • Transparency & Traceability • Identification of end-user problem by identifying common source in fuel supply chain • Corporate Governance • Ethics & Integrity • Health & Safety • Environmental Protection • Insurance Implications DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Summary • Heading towards 2020 & Beyond… • Fuel Supply Chain Challenges will only increase and become more complex. • Greater regulation with higher levels of Traceability & Transparency of all fuel treatments and blending components would help safeguard both suppliers and purchasers of fuel. • We are already seeing a major increase in fuel quality issues, which will continue. • Wider range/choice of fuels available with many technical considerations. • Greater understanding of the Stability & Compatibility of fuels will assist fuel management, ie TSP/TSA/TSE/RSN. • The increasing and widening types of base fuels, cutter stocks, blending agents & additives will lead to wider chemistry issues and the need for higher analytical testing techniques. • Work with a Fuel & Oil Management Partner to effectively measure and monitor fuel quality, to improve operational efficiency, protect your assets, comply with legislation and ultimately save money!! DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
Thank you for your attention! YOUR FUEL MANAGEMENT PARTNER Ian Workman Questions?? Please drop me an e-mail Ian.workman@v-p-s.com 914 764 7053762 DNVGL FEB 7th 2019
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