Low fuel lubricity in thin distillates

摘要

To meet future pollution control regulations, ships will be obliged to switch from viscous high-sulphur heavy fuel oil to poorly lubricating thin distillate fuels. By using seal-less pumps, two heavy lift ships working in northern waters are tackling the problems of premature wear, high repair costs and failure associated with distillates. The MV Eagle and the MV Falcon, two heavy lift ships, could be carrying the solution to potentially serious fuel pumping problems facing ships berthing in EU ports or operating in SECA (sulphur emission control area) zones Baltic and North Sea Both vessels have been fitted with marine gas oil booster units designed around the Wanner Hydra-Cell G35 - a pump of seal-less design that won DNV certification in January 2010. The pump can handle ultra-thin non-lubricating liquids - including light fuel oils, satisfying all current and planned regulations on maximum sulphur content.