A REVIEW ON FUELS USED FOR MARINE DIESEL ENGINES

Abstract

In the maritime industry, most commercial vessels use diesel engines as the main propulsion for propeller, generators or auxiliary equipment. They have consumed a very large amount of fossil fuels and produced high levels of emissions into the environment. Currently, one of the most renewable and environmentally friendly alternative fuels available are known as bio-based fuels. In the maritime sectors, bio-based fuels show many advantages in comparison to fossil fuels due to its renewability and biodegradation. Bio-based fuels can be used directly or in the blend of fossil fuels, and thus, the fuel systems for the application of bio-based fuels to marine diesel engines need to be adjusted aiming at the harmony between fuel properties and fuel system of the as-used marine diesel engines. This report examines the use of traditional and alternative fuels for the marine shipping industry to satisfy the strict strategies of emissions. Some fuel systems are suggested in the case of using bio-based fuels for marine diesel engines. In addition, the experiences of marine diesel engine manufacturers related to the use of alternative fuels are also reported in this study.