Proper centrifuge operation is essential for removing fuel impurities such as catalytic fines (Al+Si). From our experience, the fuel treatment systems onboard many vessels do not always operate at optimal levels. This means impurities from bunkers entering the engine combustion chamber may not have been adequately reduced to a level for safe engine operation.

To illustrate further, ISO 8217, the most commonly referred to marine fuel specification, sets an 80 mg/kg Al+Si limit on the delivered fuel. Major engine builders, on the other hand, recommend no more than 15 mg/kg Al+Si at the engine inlet. Now, assuming the vessel receives a fuel containing 75mg/kg Al+Si, its fuel treatment plant will then have to operate at an efficiency level capable of removing 80% of these highly abrasive materials from the fuel in order to meet the engine manufacturers’ requirement.

With this in mind, FSC testing helps monitor the overall efficiency of the vessel’s fuel treatment plant as well as the condition of the individual fuel cleaning components. The ship staff draws fuel samples from specified locations along the fuel system under the following situations:

• Periodically for routine checks;

• When operational problems are experienced;

• When triggered by the DNVPS fuel oil analysis reports in connection with poor quality bunker deliveries.

To find out more about FSC and how this service can improve your vessel’s operations, please contact the nearest DNVPS office.