Experience with Heavy Fuel

Abstract

Beginning in the fall of 1973, the oil crisis created a drastic worldwide change in thinking about oil resources. At the June 1979 OPEC meeting in Geneva, the price of oil was raised substantially, to some 20 U.S. dollars per barrel, and further forecasted to zoom up to more than 30 U.S. dollars in 1980. According to our study of a 10 000-dwt cargo vessel, the fuel oil cost—even in 1976—already constituted approximately 50 to 60 percent of the overall operating cost (excluding capital costs). In order to combat this undesirable development, the marine diesel engine is strongly needed to materialize energy savings from every possible angle, and various measures for this purpose have been vigorously advanced. One approach is the use of heavy fuel instead of the more expensive diesel oil, and this paper introduces one company's experiences with this energy-saving method, especially in the following items:Heavy fuel limitations— engine types suitable to burn up to 1500 sec and UE engines up to 3500 sec;engine room fuel system and accessories needed for up to 1500 sec and those for up to 3500 sec;problems still being encountered with heavy fuel;maintenance intervals and wear factors compared with running on diesel fuel; andoperation cost savings. Finally, an example is given of a slow-speed diesel versus a medium-speed twin engine installation for a pusher tug of less than 300 G/T (tug/barge system).