Fuels, Lubricants & Green Marine

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International Maritime Organization (IMO) fuel rules entering force in 2020 mandate a drastic sulfur reduction. By 2050 the mandate is to cut greenhouse gas emissions of shipping by at least 50 percent.

Marine fuels, lubricants and additives manufacturers play their part in establishing maritime’s green credentials by introducing new environmentally acceptable technologies and products.

GoodFuels’ marine fuel is an easy-drop-in fuel that can be used without any adjustments to equipment or engines and, as such, is a zero-capex alternative to decarbonization.

Kronemeijer said that regulation and incentives are essential for the broad adoption of low-carbon marine fuels.

Also IMO has agreed that a detailed carbon strategy will not be finalized until 2023, inclusion in the EU emissions trading system (ETS) will be an important first step towards establishing low-carbon shipping and send a clear signal to the IMO.

Shell: MILES Ahead

Shell Marine has introduced new two-stroke and four-stroke cylinder oils, last year and opened a blending facility in Singapore, added new delivery ports, and introduced new technical services.

An additional initiative from the company this year is its Marine Integrated Lubrication and Expert Solutions (MILES) development, which combines purchasing options, services and an extensive range of lubricant products in a multi-faceted strategy for customers to address their most pressing operational concerns.

At the start of 2017, the company’s Shell Alexia two-stroke cylinder oil portfolio covered fuel types from LNG to HSHFO, operating regimes from full load to slow steaming, and engines of all ages. It extended from Shell Alexia S3, a 25 BN oil for ECAs, Shell Alexia S4 (BN 60) and Shell Alexia 50 (BN 70) to the 100 BN Shell Alexia S6, which was developed to perform with HSHFO in conditions where oils are under extreme stress. Shell Marine introduced Shell Alexia 140 in 2017 to deliver added protection against cold corrosion for modern engines.

Shell Alexia 140 has also been successfully used with Maersk Fluid Technology’s ‘blend-on-board’ technology.

Chevron Combats Severe Corrosion

The M/T Seriana, a 110,000 dwt Japanese-built LR2 tanker operating in the Greek market under the management of Neda Maritime, began to experience severe corrosion in its MAN 6S60ME-C8.2 engine soon after its launch in 2015. Initially, a significantly higher than OEM-recommended feed rate of Chevron’s Taro Special HT 100 cylinder lubricant was implemented by the owners in an effort to keep the wear rate within acceptable limits. However, wear rates were unchanged and over-lubrication resulted in liner polishing.

Liner measurements from the M/T Seriana demonstrated that, within a period of about four months, the use of Taro Special HT Ultra had returned wear levels to normal. Ultimately, the feed rate was reduced by more than 30 percent and the overall engine condition was much improved.

Chevron demonstrated that switching to Taro Special HT Ultra provided both a positive technical outcome and gave cost savings of more than $20,000 a year for this vessel alone.

ExxonMobil: Mobil SHC Aware HS

ExxonMobil has introduced its Mobil SHC Aware HS (Hydraulic System) Series hydraulic oils formulated to offer excellent protection in challenging marine operating environments. The oils meet the U.S. Vessel General Permit2 (VGP) requirements for EALs, making them suitable for use in U.S. inland and coastal waters. ExxonMobil said the formulation of the new oils was designed to help offer a range of performance benefits, including protection across a wide temperature range, superior low-temperature start-up, high resistance to oxidation and thermal damage, and excellent shear stability, thus ensuring a long operating life.

Total LubeMarine: Cylinder Fuel Oil Facilitates Fuel Switching

Total LubeMarine introduced its Talusia Optima product, a 100 BN cylinder lube oil designed specifically to facilitate fuel switching without the need to change lubricants when transiting both in and out of ECAs. The new oil also has increased neutralization capability in comparison to conventional 100 BN products and is also designed for use with all fuels with a sulfur content from zero to 3.5 percent.

The company reports that it has completed more than 8,700 hours of sea trials and has received NOLs from Winterthur Gas & Diesel (WinGD), Japan Engine Corporation (JEC) and MAN Diesel & Turbo.

The new oil formulation is based on an innovative type of chemistry known as ashfree neutralizing molecules (ANM), which provides effective acid neutralization and cylinder cleanliness, and also has the potential to reduce feed rates, the company stated.

Blue Ocean Solutions: New Emulsified Fuel System

Blue Ocean Solutions proposed solution is the use of emulsified fuel systems, introduced in 2011, and this has been proven, according to the company, to perform reliably and significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions on containerships, tankers, bulkers and cruise ships. The return on in investment, in most cases, is less than a year, and fuel operating expenditure has been reduced by about 2 to 5 percent.

Fishing for Fuel Savings

The 305-foot factory trawler F/V Golden Alaska, powered by twin MAK six-cylinder engines and having a large boiler to support its fishmeal-fish oil processor and hoteling galley for its 80-person factory and crew personnel, uses a Fitch Fuel Catalyst on the output of dual centrifuges to provide a clean fuel burn and substantial cost savings. The vessel is now in its fourth year of operation and achieves about 18 months of service from each new catalyst core it installs. The beneficial results of the clean burn are significant cleaner piston crowns and a very clean and pronounced pattern from fuel injection are observed and, during operation, less smoke is emitted from the main engines and the boiler, indicating better oxygenation and cleaner, more complete burning cycles.

RSC Bio Solutions: Grease for the Extremes

RSC Bio Solutions’ newest grease developed specifically for severe applications, RSC EnviroLogic Grease 2 WREP (Water Resistant Extreme Pressure), an environmentally acceptable lubricant, has been formulated to offer excellent water resistance and extreme-pressure performance.

It also offers anti-wear performance; a broad operating temperature range from below freezing to 204°; good oxidation stability, pumpability and shear stability; and sealing properties that keep out water and debris.

Bio-based Grease

Developed to meet the needs of the marine industry, Lubriplate Lubricants Company’s LUBRIPLATE BIOBASED EP-2 grease is an environmentally acceptable lubricant (EAL) that meets US EPA 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) requirements; passes the US EPA Static Sheen Test (1617); and passes US EPA Acute Toxicity Test LC50.

The product is classed as Ultimately Biodegradable (Pw1) and is designed to protect slow- to medium-speed bearings, articulated tug barges (ATB) notch interfaces, rudder shafts, wire rope, above-deck equipment, port equipment, cranes, barges, oil platforms, and water treatment and hydroelectric facilities.

The grease has high-performance extreme-pressure/anti-wear properties and is highly resistant to both fresh and salt water. The product is available in cartridges and 120 lb drums.

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Source: Marine Link