10 - Malcolm Cooper

Bunker Fuel Contamination
Dr Malcolm Cooper
Group Technical &
Business Development Director
Platts European Bunker Fuel Conf 2016 – Bunker Fuel Contamination 1 | 24/5/16
Marine Fuel Quality Standard
ISO8217:2012
Tables 1 & 2
• 11 Residual grades
• 4 Distillate grades
Quality variability
• Crude oil sources
• Refining processes
• Blending of fuels
• Supply Chain
ISO8217 - Section 5.5
The fuel shall not contain any additives……
or any added substance or chemical waste
that
a)jeopardises the safety of the ship or
adversely affects the performance of the
machinery, or
b)is harmful to personnel, or
c) contributes overall to additional air
pollution
Impact of Fuel Contamination
Blocked
Sludging
Filter
Main Engine Damage Report - by the Swedish Club
Impact of Fuel Contamination
Casualty with Ships in EU Waters
During the period 2011-2014, Loss of Control is

the most frequent event with 1,489 occurrences
Source: European Maritime Safety Agency, Annual overview of marine casualties and Incidents 2015
Fuel Problems Reported by Vessel
2011-Date
Created by and for use of Veritas Petroleum Services only
Impact of ECA on Marine Fuel Types
% %
85% 45%
Residual Distillate
Fuels 80% 40% Fuels
75% 35%
70% 30%
65% 25%
60% 20%
55% 15%
50% 10%
Introduction of 0.1% S ECA Limit on 1st Jan 2015

Created by and for use of Veritas Petroleum Services only
Identifying Chemical Contamination
FTIR Spectrum of Uncontaminated HFO
IR energy IR energy
absorbed absorbed
due to C-H due to C-H
stretching bending
FTIR Spectrum of Contaminated HFO
C=O stretching:-
• aldehydes
• ketones
• esters
• acids
1820cm-1-1660cm-1
GC-MS of Uncontaminated HFO
GC-MS Pre-Treatment Methods
• Headspace Method
• Vacuum Distillation
• Representative fraction of fuel
within a boiling range
• Identity of compounds remain
same as in original sample
• Acid Extraction
• Aqueous extraction into base
followed by acidification
• Esterification of acid extract to
produce methyl ester of acid
Case Study 1 – The Problem
• Fuel met ISO8217:2005 specification
• TSP slightly elevated (0.08 Vs 0.10 spec)
• Vessel reported problems: Sticking of injector
needles & fuel pump plungers & Clogging of fuel
heaters
• Vessel witnessed matting/greyish effect
HP Pump Delivery Valves Sticking Nozzle AE Fuel Injection Valve
Case Study 1 – The Analysis
• VPS performed range of forensic analyses on
the original bunker sample and sample after
pump
• Headspace GC-MS
• GC-MS Vacuum Distillate results below…
Component Molecular CAS No Estimated
formula concentration
%
1,2-dichloroethane C2H4CI2 107-06-2 0.02
1,1,2-Trichloroethane C2H3CI3 79-00-5 0.05
Chloro benzene C6H5CI 108-90-7 0.01
Case Study 1 – The Result
• VPS recommended to discontinue use of this fuel
• Vessel experienced no further problems
GC-MS Headspace of Bunker Sample
Case Study 2 – The Problem
• Fuel met ISO8217:2005 specification
• Vessel reported problems: broken spring and
series cavitations of fuel injection pump after
running 720 hours after a 12,000 hours overhaul
• Acid Number = 2.27mg KOH/g
elevated indicating possible contamination
• VPS Forensic analysis of the sample
identified presence of Alkyl Phenols
• VPS recommended stop using this fuel
• Vessel experienced no further problems
Case Study 2 - The Analysis
FTIR analysis performed directly on Fuel Oil
O-H stretching
3600cm-1- 3200cm-1
Case Study 2 – GC-MS Chromatogram
GCMS on Vacuum Distillate <250C
Alkyl Phenol Compounds
Phenol
VPS – Screening Method
• Rapid Headspace GC-MS

Method
• Detects Volatile Organic

Compounds (VOCs)
• Some occur naturally in

crude oil, many do not!
VPS tested
• VPS tested >7,000 fuel oil >7,000 fuel oil
samples by GC-MS samples by
GC-MS
• Leveraged this knowledge Leveraged
this
knowledge
• Fast GC-MS screen of volatile

organic contaminants Fast GC-MS
screen of
volatile organic
contaminants
Fast Screen
• Differentiates fuel oil HCs Method results
Vs chemical contaminants issued on FQT
Report
Identifies
• Fast analysis – part of FQT presence of
Report available PRE-BURN chemical
contamination
• Screening method identifies Undertake more

need for more extensive extensive GCMS
testing forensic test
methods
Summary
• Vessel engine problems
burning fuel compliant
with ISO8217 standard
• VPS forensic experience
identifying contaminants
POST-BURN
• VPS offers screening for
chemical contamination
PRE-BURN to prevent
engine problems
Thank you for your attention
Dr Malcolm Cooper
malcolm.cooper@v-p-s.com
+447872816533
www.v-p-s.com

10 - Malcolm Cooper

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10 - Malcolm Cooper

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Bunker Fuel Contamination

Main Engine Damage Report - by the Swedish Club

During the period 2011-2014, Loss of Control is

Created by and for use of Veritas Petroleum Services only

Introduction of 0.1% S ECA Limit on 1st Jan 2015

• Rapid Headspace GC-MS

• Detects Volatile Organic

• Some occur naturally in

• Fast GC-MS screen of volatile

• Screening method identifies Undertake more

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