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Technical Note

Customer Technical Service

Removal of catfines by use of OctamarTM products


Introduction
It has been found that the amount of catalytic fines in a fuel can be dramatically reduced after the separators by
the use of OctamarTM dispersants/stabilizers. Experience from the use of OctamarTM products containing
dispersant/stabilizers has strongly indicated this.
This Technical Note describes the mechanism that is employed by the OctamarTM dispersant/stabilizer in the
removal of catalytic fines from the residual marine oil and some field data is shown. The procedure for assisting
the removal of catalytic fines by the use of OctamarTM dispersant/stabilizers is also described.

Catalytic Fines
Catalytic fines consist of small abrasive particles of silicon and aluminium. These are carried over from the
refinery process of catalytic cracking. The catalytic cracker uses catalysts based on silicon and aluminium to
convert more of the heavy parts of the crude oil to sellable products such as gasoline, diesel and kerosene.
This process reduces the quality of the residual oil that can be blended to meet the specification of marine fuel,
but also the catalysts can contaminate the residual oil produced from the catalytic cracker. Catalytic fines are
very abrasive and can pass through filters and strainers causing catastrophic damage to fuel pumps, fuel
injectors, pistons and cylinder liners.
Cat-fines are distributed unevenly in the fuel and held in suspension by asphaltenes. As asphaltenes
agglomerate and eventually precipitate as sludge, some of the cat-fines are carried with them, however the
smaller accumulations of asphaltenes and cat-fines remain in suspension. During filtration and centrifuging some
of the asphaltenes are removed from the fuel, but a large proportion of the asphaltene/cat-fine combinations
remain in suspension and pass through filters and centrifugal purifiers/clarifiers to the fuel service tank.

Removal of Catalytic Fines by OctamarTM Dispersant/Stabilizer


By use of an OctamarTM dispersant/stabilizer it may be possible to remove catalytic fines more easily from the fuel
oil. This ability is not the primary action of an OctamarTM dispersant/stabilizer product and is considered a
possible knock on effect and it is not a guarantee.
The mechanism employed in the removal of catalytic fines is mainly governed by the break down of the
asphaltene agglomerates, which releases the catalytic fine particles from suspension. As the catalytic fines are
released from suspension they are attracted to the water element of the fuel. This mechanism improves the
combined effects of centrifugal solids and water separation. Hence, the theory is that catalytic fines can more
easily be removed if the fuel is treated with dispersants/stabilizers.

Reference Marine TN - 061

Issue No 2, 2006

Technical Note
Results
In a trial where the dispersant/stabiliser technology used in the OctamarTM products were tested, a significant
reduction in catfines was seen after the fuel separator. Figure 1 shows analysis of Al and Si in the fuel before
and after centrifugation.
120

Untreated
Treated

107

Amount (ppm)

100

80
69
60

40

20
3

2
0
Al

Si
Catfines

Figure 1. This figure shows how the amount of catfines in the fuel decreased significantly after treatment and centrifugation.

Unfortunately no data are available of the catfine content after the separators without additive treatment. The
total amount of 5 ppm catfines is however very good.

Procedure for Assisting Removal of Cat. Fines by use of an OctamarTM Dispersant/Stabilizer


Initially dose contaminated fuel in bunker tanks with dispersant at dosage rate 1 litre per 10,000 litres
fuel. Apply heat and if possible circulate to enhance dispersion.
If possible, alternate filling of settling tank with contaminated and good fuel so that there is always a
mixture of fuels in the settling tank.
When filling the settling tank, additionally dose more dispersant at dosage rate 1 litre per 10,000 litres
fuel. Maintain settling tank temperature at 85-95 C
NB. If it is not operationally possible to dose and/or circulate the contaminated fuel in the bunker tanks, dose
the dispersant directly to the settling tank prior to or during filling at dosage rate 1 litre per 5,000 litres fuel.
Run centrifuges in series, first machine as purifier and second as clarifier.
Reduce throughput to minimum to maintain daily fuel consumption and raise separation temperature as
high as operationally possible.
Regularly inspect and clean fine fuel filter elements.
Inspect and clean purifiers more frequently.
Reduce time interval between purifier and clarifier sludge cycles.
Take drip samples periodically after clarifier and retain for analysis.
The effect of treating fuel contaminated with high levels of Al and Si with a strong dispersant will
improve the homogeneity of the fuel and prevent/disperse asphaltene agglomerations.

The information contained in this document is provided free of charge and is based on technical data that Innospec believes to be reliable. It is intended
for use by persons having technical skill and at their own discretion and risk. Innospec accepts no liability for any loss, damage or expense arising from, or
in connection with, the use of the information. Furthermore, none of the contents of this publication should be taken as a licence to operate under any
patent, nor as a recommendation to infringe any patent.

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