LUKOIL shares lubricant experience

(Posted on 01/05/20)

After 100 days of VLSFO operation, LUKOIL Marine Lubricants is sharing recent experience on VLSFO operation with NAVIGO MCL Extra (40BN). This draws on learnings over the past few months as well as experience from the transition from HFO to distillate fuels in 2015 with NAVIGO MCL Ultra (20BN).

LUKOIL is the leading Russian company in oil exploration, production and refining, as well as marketing of petroleum products.

Using the right cylinder oil, such as NAVIGO MCL Extra with extra detergency, is only the first step to avoid excessive liner wear on VLSFO. Feed rate optimization is equally important for good engine condition, in combination with engine inspections and monitoring the wear metal content of drain oil samples. The feed rate optimization process involves Cylinder Scrapedown Analysis (CSA) at regular intervals, provided by LUKOIL as part of their OPTIMIZE program. The switch to VLSFO or between different VLSFO blends can still be challenging and requires careful attention.

The fuel that operators are switching from, the new fuel and how the transition is managed all play a major role in ensuring a smooth changeover. HFO is stable because it contains many polar hydrocarbons. Distillate fuels are non-polar and can cause instability in mixtures. Many ULSFO and VLSFO blends are such mixtures. When changing over from HFO to these fuels, the sludge, asphaltenes and cat fines which may have accumulated over time while on HFO can remain on the tank bottom and walls or in the fuel system unless these are fully cleaned or flushed as it was recommended before the transition to VLSFO.

This issue can be made worse because the ability of distillates, ULSFO and VLSFO to absorb cat fines and asphaltenes can cause them to be carried through to the filter, purifier and engine. Cat fine levels at the inlet to the main engine must be below 15 ppm, ideally below 8 ppm. Some ULSFO and VLSFO are treated with additives to improve their stability, but these further increase the fuel’s absorbance and must be handled with care.

Mixing fuels can cause problems due to incompatibilities which cannot be completely avoided. Measures to manage this risk include; segregating the fuel qualities, minimizing mixing and monitoring filter, purifier and engine condition. Engine monitoring includes, for example, regular inspections and adjusting the feed rate where necessary, as well as regular laboratory analysis of scrape down samples.

Some 100 BN cylinder oils, such as NAVIGO 100 MCL, offer improved detergency. Therefore, in some cases high BN cylinder oil is used for a short time to counteract deposits in the engine. In the long run, however, using excessive BN with VLSFO will lead to deposits in the piston top land and ring pack, which can ultimately lead to scuffing and, consequently, loss of liners and off-hire of the vessel. By contrast, NAVIGO MCL Extra has detergency comparable to a 100 BN cylinder oil but a lower alkalinity or neutralization capacity (BN). This keeps the engine free of deposits without the risks of excessive BN. A sufficient feed rate is required to prevent scuffing.

Latest News

Red Sea conflict brings massive shipping carbon emissions increases

Conflict in the Red Sea has brought massive carbon emissions increases in ocean freight shipping, according... Read more

WFW advises Danaos on US$450m newbuild vessel financing

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) has advised Danaos Corporation (“Danaos&rdquo... Read more

North Pacific Green Corridor Consortium forms new corridor

Global industry leaders from North America, Asia and Europe have announced the formation of the North... Read more

Tomini Dynasty Captain receives prestigious Gallantry Award

Tomini Group, a world-class dry bulk ship owner, has announced that Captain Om Dutta has been honoured... Read more

Singapore retains top spot as world’s leading maritime city

Singapore has retained its title as the leading maritime city in the world, followed by Rotterdam and... Read more

AtoB@C Shipping takes delivery of Stellamar

AtoB@C Shipping, a subsidiary of ESL Shipping, the leading carrier of dry bulk cargoes in the Baltic... Read more

Maritime industry leaders to explore ammonia as marine fuel on US West Coast

American Bureau of Shipping, CALAMCO, Fleet Management Limited, Sumitomo Corporation and TOTE Services... Read more

MMS raises awareness over improper use of antibiotics on board vessels

Leading provider of medical support services for crews, Marine Medical Solutions (MMS), is concerned... Read more

ESL to sell Supramaxes

ESL Shipping, a leading carrier of dry bulk cargoes in the Baltic region, has signed a memorandum of... Read more

Sustainable fuels can reach cost parity with fossil fuels by 2035

New Wärtsilä analysis shows EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime will close price gap, creating policy... Read more