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Properties of distillate and residual fuels

Density

This is the mass per unit volume and is generally given as kg/m3 at 15OC and is
specifcially given as that found in a vacuum. The density reduces with increasing
temperature and alos reduces in air although the latter by only about 0.1%. These
characteristics are important to allow proper description for commercial transactions and
also for preparation ( say purifiers) and in use ( main engines). Density may also be given
as specific gravity, this is a ratio of mass of the fuel to the same volume of water at the
same temperature.

Viscosity

This is a measure of a fuels resistance to flow or more specifically resistance to shear of


adjacent molecules. It is one of the most important characteristics of a fuel. It governs the
method of handling, storage, pumping and combustion.

The coefficient of viscosity is referred to as the absolute velocity and has many accepted
units of value, the SI units are MPa/s and is defined as the force required to shear a set
area of liquid at contant velocity.

Kinematic viscosity is this is the ratio of dynamic viscosity of a fluid over its density.
The units are accepted as stokes or centistokes although the SI unit is m2/s or mm2/s. The
viscosity of a fuel generally varies considerably with temperature and this is particularly
the case with resif=dual fuels.

Flash Point

This is the temperature of a fuel at which sufficient vapour is given off that momentary
ignition occurs if an external flame is introduced. This temperature si quoted as Open or
Closed. The closed temperature is about 15'C lower than the open

Pour Point

This is the temperature at which and below wax crystals begin to form. This is important
for pumping

Specific energy or Calorific value

This is the total energy chemically available by a unit fuel. Heavier fuels tend to have
lower values.

Ignition quality
Is a property related to distillated fuel and is that quality of combustibility during
combustion process in a diesel engine, which causes ignition delay. It is a relative value
on a scale of 0 to 100, known as cetane number. Paraffin as non-combustible substance is
taken for zero and Cetane (C16H34) a highly combustible substance is taken as 100.

The International Standard for Marine


Fuels
IFO 40 IFO 80 IFO 180 IFO 380
RMA10 RMB10 RMC10 RMD15 RME25 RMF25 RMG35 RMH35 RMK35 RML35
Density @
0,975 0,991 0,991 0,991 0,991 0,991 0,991 0,991 --- ---
15 C
Viscosity @
40,0 40,0 40,0 80,0 180,0 180,0 380,0 380,0 380,0 380,0
50 C
Viscosity @
10,0 10,0 10,0 15,0 25,0 25,0 35,0 35,0 35,0 35,0
100 C
Flash Point
60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60
(C)
Pour
Point
0 24(0) 24 30 30 30 30 30 30 30
:Winter,
6 24(6) 24 30 30 30 30 30 30 30
Summer
( C)
Carbon
10 10 14 14 15 20 18 22 22 --
Residue (%)
Ash (%) 0,10 0,10 0,10 0,10 0,10 0,15 0,20 0,20 0,20 0,20
Water (%) 0,50 0,50 0,50 0,80 1,0 1,0 1,0 1,0 1,0 1,0
Sulphur 3,5 3,5 3,5 4,0 5,0 5,0 5,0 5,0 5,0 5,0
Vanadium
150 150 300 350 200 500 300 600 600 600
(ppm)
Al + Si
80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 --
(ppm)
Sediment
0,10 0,10 0,10 0,10 0,10 0,10 0,10 0,10 0,10 --
Potential (%)

This doe not include


additional Quality Parameters, NOT covered by the ISO-8217 standard.
Such as : Sodium (Natrium), Lead, Calcium, Phosphorous,Zinc,
CCAI (Calculated Carbon Aromaticity Index), and whether or not
the bunkers you ordercontain Waste Automotive Lube Oil.

Low Sulphur Fuels


Sulphur contained in the fuel forms metallic sulphides that coat the internal surfaces of
the fuel injection equipment including the fuel pumps and the fuel injectors. These
sulphides have low shear resistance and act as EP additives similar to that found in
lubrication oils. Extremely low sulphur fuels in use on the automotive transport industry
have led to the use of lubricity additives. In the marine environment the reduction in
sulphur content has been less dramatic.

Marpol Annex VI(regulation 14) and the creation of Sulphur Emission Control Area
means it wil be a requirement to use only fuels with a certain maximum sulphur content.
In the addition to the increased cost of these low sulphur fuels it is necessary to factor in
the possibility of increased wear and tear on the engine components.

Low sulphur fuels are normally low viscosity oils such as gas oil. Carefull planning has
to be done both at the design level ( to ensure sufficient storage capacity) and at the
operational and maintenance levels due to the known difficulties in changing over from a
heated fuel to a non heated or one with reduced heating capacity.

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