Fuel-related engine breakdowns are not a new problem. Gard regularly sees engine breakdowns and operational problems caused by poor fuel quality or poor fuel treatment on board. Gard has also seen engine problems caused by mixing of incompatible fuels and filters clogged by sludge. The purpose of this circular is to remind ship owners and operators of important issues regarding fuel handling and treatment on board and to highlight the importance of structured training of crew members to prevent operational problems and engine damage.
It is very important that the crew be familiar with the properties of the fuel supplied and the limitations of the particular ship’s fuel treatment plant. Because of changes in rules and regulations influencing both the quality of available fuel and the operating procedures on board, Gard summarized below advice on fuel handling and treatment on board，and it is considered especially important to emphasise this advice to new crew members and junior engineers.
Fuel oil storage and tanks
Even if fuel is within specification, problems can arise at the very first stage of storage. Build-up of sediment inside the tanks can cause contamination of new fuel and mixing of different batches of fuel can lead to unstable fuel. Important precautions are:
- Regularly clean storage and settling/service tanks.
- Regularly drain settling/service tanks to remove water and sludge, preferably on a daily basis.
- Place new bunkers into empty tanks whenever possible.
- If mixing cannot be avoided, carry out tests to ensure that the two types of fuel are compatible.
- Where time is a critical factor but there are doubts about the compatibility and sediment potential of a mixed fuel, carry out the simple on-board test (test kits for this purpose should be available on board) as a minimum, and avoid using the mixed fuel during critical operations or when navigating in restricted areas.
- Consider if bunkering upon entering a port is an option (draft, cargo, timing, etc., permitting) instead of when leaving a port.
Fuel oil separation
Even if the HFO received complies with the requirements of ISO 8217, operational problems can arise if the treatment plant and in particular the HFO separators are not properly operated and maintained. Important precautions are:
- Keep the HFO inlet temperature at 98°C.
- Use the correct flow ratio and gravity disc.
- Maintain the separators according to manufacturer’s instructions and, as far as practically possible, use manufacturer’s approved parts only.
- Verify the efficiency of the separators and the cleanliness of the service tank by sampling the fuel in the system before and after the separators and as close to the engines as possible.
Fuel changeover
Ships that trade between areas with different sulphur limitations should have detailed changeover procedures. Changeover procedures should be practised before entering restricted waters, especially in ships that do not perform fuel changeovers on a regular basis.
Conclusion
For the safety of the crew, ship and cargo, and to minimise costs and periods off-hire caused by engine breakdowns, it is important that ship owners and operators focus on the quality of fuel handling and treatment on board. All engine crew must receive proper and regular training and it is particularly important to ensure that junior engineers become familiar with the ship’s fuel treatment equipment and how to perform regular maintenance.
Changes in rules and regulations may lead to changes in procedures so training and facilitation of experience exchange are essential for the crew to be able to detect the cause of a fuel-related problem when it occurs, and adjust the fuel handling and treatment procedures to minimise potential loss.
See attached file: 05-12 Fuel handling and treatment on board.pdf
船上燃油的处理
由于燃油导致发动机故障的问题由来已久。Gard协会经常遇到因船上劣质燃油或对燃油的不当处理而引起的发动机故障和运作问题，以及因混合不相容的燃油，油泥堵塞过滤器而引起的发动机问题。本通函的目的是为了提醒船东和船舶营运人关注船上燃油处理这一重要事项，并强调对船员进行结构化培训的重要性，以避免各种操作问题和发动机损坏。
船员熟悉所供给的燃油特性及该特定船舶燃油处理装置所存在的问题非常重要。由于法律法规的变化会对船上可得燃油的质量和操作程序产生影响，Gard协会针对船上燃油的处理问题，概括得出以下一些建议供会员参考。协会认为向新船员和见习管轮强调这些建议尤为重要。
燃油储存和油柜
即使燃油符合规格，但在储存之初就可能产生各种问题。油柜内形成的沉淀物会对新燃油造成污染，另外，混合不同批次的燃油会导致燃油的不稳定性。可以采取的重要预防措施包括：
- 定期清洗储油柜和沉淀柜/日用油柜
- 定期排出沉淀柜/日用油柜中的水和油泥，每日一次为最佳
- 可能的情况下，将新燃油加入空油柜中
- 如果混合不可避免，进行测试以确保两种燃料是相容的
- 若时间紧迫，但对混合燃油的相容性及沉淀的可能性有疑问时，至少需对船上燃油进行取样测试（船上需备有可供使用的试剂盒），并在临界操作或航行于限制区域期间，避免使用混合燃油
- 考虑（在吃水、货物、调速允许的情况下）是否可在进港时加油而非离港时
燃油分油机
即使重油符合ISO 8217规范的要求，但若不适当操作和维护处理装置，尤其是重油分油机，会产生操作上的各种问题。可以采取的重要预防措施包括：
- 保持重油温度不超过98摄氏度
- 使用正确的流量和比重环
- 在实践中尽可能地按照制造说明书的规定维护分油机，仅使用制造商认可的零部件。
- 检查分油机的效率，并通过对进入和排出分油机系统中的燃油进行取样，来检查日用柜的清洁程度，并使分油机尽可能靠近发动机。
换油
航行于不同含硫量限制区域的船舶，应详尽了解换油操作程序。应在进入限制水域前执行该操作程序，尤其是非定期换油的船舶。
结论
为了船员、船舶和货物的安全，并最大限度的降低费用以及减少因发动机故障引起的停租期间，船东和船舶营运人关注船上燃油处理的工作质量十分重要。所有轮机部船员必须得到适当及定期的培训，见习管轮熟悉船舶燃油处理设备及如何进行日常维护尤为重要。
由于法律法规的变化导致操作程序的变更，对船员进行培训并促进经验交流至关重要。可以确保船员能够在发生燃油相关问题时及时发现原因，并且调整燃油处理程序以最大限度的减少可能的损失。
详细信息请参阅附件。
