As a latest technical update, Viswa Education Centre has released its IMO 2020 course for the education and support of mariners.
Viswa Education Center
The first course covers all the issues related to the implementation of IMO regulation on 1/1/2020. This course contains ten chapters and explanatory videos by Dr. Vis (Refer to webinar section)
- Chapter 1: An introduction; IMO 2020 Fuel regulation, available options and penalties.
- Chapter 2: Types, composition, characteristics and properties of existing and alternative IMO 2020 compliant marine fuels
- Chapter 3: VLSFOs – Supply, Price and Availability and Operational Problems
- Chapter 4: Handling New Fuels and Onboard Solutions
- Chapter 5: Summary of PAS document
- Chapter 6: Ship Implementation Plan
- Chapter 7: IMO 2020 regulation frequently questions
- Chapter 8: Examples of VLSFO supplies
- Chapter 9: Scrubbers
- Chapter 10: Nuggets of Useful Information/ Practical Implementation Points
- References
Webinars list
- Ship Implementation Plan.
- Viswa R & D Projects.
- Engine Friendliness Number (EFN) for HFO & Distillates.
- Engine Friendliness Number (EFN) for VLSFOs.
- Lube Oil Quality Index (LOQI) for Engine Oils & Hydraulic Oils.
- True Worth Index (TWI).
- Problems with VLSFO fuels.
- Stability & Compatibility issues with VLSFOs.
Chapter 1
In chapter 1, we discuss the IMO 2020 fuel regulations. The new IMO 2020 regulation will enforce a 0.5% sulfur emissions cap worldwide which will be starting January 1, 2020.
- Available options.
- About the different compliant marine fuels, their pros, and cons.
- Compliance option 1: Burn distillates
- Compliance option 2: Burn hybrids or blends
- Compliance option 3: Install EGCS
- Compliance option 4: Burn Liquefied natural gas (LNG)
- Compliance option 5: Use other alternative energy sources: Methanol, Hydrogen fuel cells, and liquefied petroleum gas.
Penalties: There are large differences between the penalties imposed on non-compliant vessels in various ECA zones.
Chapter 2
In Chapter 2, we will discuss the existing fuels available and VLSFO.
- Existing Fuels – Heavy Fuel Oils (not IMO 2020 compliant without scrubber).
- Very low sulfur fuel, VLSFO (2020 Fuels).
- VLSFO samples can be paraffinic, aromatic or mixture of paraffinic and aromatic
- Properties and their characteristics in different regions
Characteristics
- Low sulfur marine gas oils (LSMGO)
- Fuel from sweet crudes
- Africa has sweet crudes with S content of 0.7%
- Pre-Combustion Desulfurized fuel
Desulfurization for light and heavy fuels
In case of light fuel oils, the sulfur removal is relatively easy: The fuels are heated, mixed with hydrogen and fed to a reactor packed with particulate catalyst
In case of heavy fuel, desulfurization is more complex, there are three different processes:
- hydrocracking (high temperature/high pressure),
- Distillation using a catalytic agent,
- The chemical reaction by using a catalyst (no heating).
There are different opinions on the claims made by some desulfurization process and the viability of this project.
Chapter 3
In chapter 3, we discuss the supply, price, and availability of fuel.
- VLSFO will be traded at a price mark-up of USD171/ton over HFO 3.5%.
- MGO 0.1% price will be around USD89/ton above EVEN the VLSFO price.
Operational problems
In this part, we discuss about all the operational issues, types of damage that could be the result of them.
- Stability
- Compatibility
- Cold flow properties
- Corrosion issues
- Catfine
- Ignition combustion properties
- Low viscosity
- Unusual components such as “Polymers, Polymethacrylates, Phenols, Tall oils, Chlorinated hydrocarbons, Estonian shale oil”.
Chapter 4
In chapter 4, we discuss the key items to assist crew and ship operators in the safe onboard handling of future 0.50 % S fuel oil blends, considering their potential impact on operational aspects.
Chapter 5
In chapter 5, you can find a summary of the PAS document. The ISO 8217 working group prepared a Publicly Available Specification (PAS) “Considerations for fuel suppliers and users regarding marine fuel quality in view of the implementation of maximum 0.50 % S in 2020” which is published in September 2019. PAS document discusses the anticipated characteristics and all the quality considerations for 0.5% marine fuel. It covers all the operational issues and specific consideration that needs to be taken related to 0.5% marine fuel as mentioned above. In addition, they introduce the test methods that can provide information about fuel stability and compatibility.
Chapter 6
In chapter 6, you can find useful information about the Ship implementation plan which covers the below topics:
- Risk assessment & mitigation plan
- Development of fuel change over plan
- Fuel systems modifications and tank cleaning
- Development of ship specific documentation and report package
Chapter 7
In chapter 7, we summarize most of the common questions related to IMO 2020 regulations and how the market conditions will change based on time.
Chapter 8
Chapter 8 contains some examples related to VLSFOs components, their characteristics, and issues related to VLSFO’s properties.
Chapter 9
Chapter 9, we discuss the use of scrubbers, their importance, advantages, and disadvantages.
- What are scrubbers?
- Why are they important in 2020?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages?
Chapter 10
Chapter 10 includes practical advice collected from multiple sources such as engine makers, joint industry guidance notes, Intertanko, Class society, and many other sources.
This course materials have videos and photographs of situations that might be encountered during change-over of fuels, by ship operators, and how they might handle these situations when they arise, and when to raise an alarm. The course materials also include forms that all ship operators must have access to. The Chapters are followed by questions in a quiz format of the most important and relevant materials within a chapter. A certificate is provided when the course chapters are studied, and quiz questions answered.
To assist with questions and issues related to 2020 fuels Viswa has started and in‐house ‘Working Group’. You can reach us at wgfuels2020@theviswagroup.com
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like our assistance.
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Source: Viswa Group
