As per The Viswa Group’s motto “Empowerment through knowledge,” they are continuously working on new tests, methods and algorithms to help customers use fuels with the highest efficiency and least amount of problems. In this article, we list some of their new endeavors below.
1. Identifying PNA content of the fuel with minimal testing
Paraffin, Naphthene, Aromatic are the main hydrocarbon groups in all types of petroleum fractions. The behaviour of fuel onboard is dependent on these fractions.
One of the key requirements of any blending operation is that heavily Paraffinic fuels should not be blended with Aromatic fuels.
Solution
Viswa R&D team has come up with a solution that takes parameters from the ISO 8217 and adds information from absorbance – With meticulous correlations done, we can now deliver Paraffinic, Naphthenic, and Aromatic (PNA) content of your fuel sample in less than 2 hours.
2. Algorithms for stability prediction
In many studies, it is recommended not to mix aromatic fuels with heavily paraffinic fuels because of incompatibility issues. However, there is no rapid method to determine if the fuel is aromatic or paraffinic.
Innovative technique
The Viswa R&D team developed an innovative and rapid technique for stability prediction based on fuel characteristics – In this method, the PNA components along with stability reserve of the fuel are used to quickly indicate the stability of the fuel.
3. Compatibility of fuels
It has been widely speculated that the current spot test as per ASTM D4740 may lead to some false‐ positive test results. This is especially true when fuels are paraffinic. This has been acknowledged in the PAS that was recently released.
PAS has proposed other tests to determine compatibility such as ASTM D7060, ASTM D7112, ASTM D7157 which are time consuming and cannot be performed onboard. These tests can only be performed in a lab, with specialized equipment and need an experienced chemist to conduct these tests.
Shipping companies may need a quick answer that can help them use the bunkers onboard. ISO 8217 doesn’t require the supplier to ensure compatibility between two fuels. Hence the onus is on the ship operator to ensure that two fuels are compatible before taking the bunkers on board.
When commingling 2 fuels, you can get an approximate idea about their compatibility, by employing the following methods:
- ASTM D4740 – Drop test – prone to false positives, when the fuel is paraffinic.
- If the density and viscosity of each fuel being commingled are near to each other, they are more likely to be compatible.
- Viswa Lab has developed an algorithm based on the PNA ‐Paraffin, Naphthene, Aromatics content of the fuels. By using the algorithm, we are able to predict the right proportion of PNA in order to make a compatible fuel blend. This work is currently being validated with the new VLSFOs coming in the market and a more accurate algorithm is being developed as newer VLSFOs come into the market.
These three methods can benefit the ship operator before using the bunkers.
4. Predicting the Estimated Cetane Number (ECN) without testing
Compliant 2020 fuels can be blended from various sources with wide variability in VLSFOs formulations. Different combinations of components and blend ratio will result in unknown ignition‐combustion properties of a fuel.
Understanding the value of your fuel will become a key measure as people race to benefit from the new 2020 regulations. However, very few techniques exist to determine this value quickly and in a way that is cost‐efficient.
Based on a new algorithm we can estimate the ignition‐ combustion properties of your fuel in a time efficiency manner.
5. Benchmarking new Estimated Cetane Number (NECN)
The available estimated cetane number is not able to accurately predict the fuel ignition‐combustion properties properly.
For example, fuels from Santos, Brazil have a low ECN number (Below 5) but no problems have been reported after using this fuel.
The Viswa R&D team developed a new ECN which considers the effect of both ignition and combustion properties of the fuel.
6. Benchmarking new Engine Friendliness Number (EFN) for VLSFOs
Engine Friendliness Number (EFN) is a unique bench‐mark of fuel quality evaluated by VISWA LAB from the point of view of engine wear and tear resulting from the use of this fuel.
Since VLSFO compositions and properties are anticipated to vary significantly from region to region and from port to port, we have developed a new formula to calculate the EFN.
For VLSFO, each parametric value of the analyzed fuel is evaluated for its position in the range of acceptable values and given a score.
A weightage factor is superimposed on this score depending upon the potential of that test parameter to cause damage. All the scores are then aggregated on a scaled score of 1 to 100.
7. Benchmarking new true worth index (TWI) for VLSFO
True Worth Index TWI is a benchmark of the “True” worth of the fuel. Ignition and combustion properties are part of this trademarked algorithm.
TWI is defined based on fuel calorific value, ignition combustion properties of fuel and engine friendliness number.
8. Lube Oil Quality Index
Viswa Group is well known for the various benchmarks in the Marine Fuel Industry. With that said, Viswa R & D has come up with a new benchmark to assess the quality of Lube Oils across various systems.
The Lube Oil Quality Index (LOQI) is broadly divided into 2 parts – LOQI for Hydraulic Oils and LOQI for Engine Oils.
LOQI for Hydraulic Oils
This Index addresses the quality of the Hydraulic Oil across various systems ranging from Piston/Gear pumps to Servo Valves.
Has the tendency to automatically customize the Target Cleanliness Code based on the hydraulic system in which the lube oil is used.
- Critical Range ≤ 30
- 30 < Caution Range ≤ 55
- Normal Range >55
LOQI for Engine Oils
This Index addresses the quality of the various Engine Oils used in Marine Engines.
This LOQI would help in identifying critical problems, wear or any other anomalies that may have the potential to cause breakdowns, increased maintenance/repair costs and prolonged downtime.
- Critical Range ≤ 30
- 30 < Caution Range ≤ 60
- Normal Range >60
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Source: Viswa Group
