Heavy Fuel Oil System in Cold Weather

 

Managerial key points for heavy fuel oil system in cold weather:

Prior to sailing, double bottom tank for heavy fuel oil should be heated in advance and temperature should be maintained to ensure heavy fuel oil flows smoothly when it is used.  Fuel oil in oil pipes should be avoided from being condensed due to coldness (but oil temperature can not be too high otherwise it will affect cargo and cause deterioration.  Normal temperature is around 30C.

Pressure of steam system should be maintained between 6kg/cm2 - 7kg/cm2.

Order of use of heavy fuel oil double bottom tanks should start from tank at ship bow to oil tank in engine room.  This is because the tank farthest away from engine room is most difficult to pump if it is not adequately heated or self suction of transfer pump is poor.  When it is difficult to pump out oil, prompt action should be taken.

Air pipes of all fuel tanks should be opened to maintain normal pressure in tanks.

Fuel oil steam tracing pipeline of main engine should be frequently opened.

Temperature of settling tank and service tank should be maintained between 60C - 70C.

Main fuel oil inlet temperature of main engine injector should be adjusted to match the viscosity of fuel oil and maintain the viscosity of fuel oil between 65-80 second Redwood.  Cooling temperature of oil injector should be maintained at a level as required by instruction manual (between 55C - 65C B&W) (80C - 90C SULZER RND).

Transferring process of heavy and light fuel oil on board should be familiarized so as to ensure oil temperature changes slowly and evenly in connection with fuel oil transferring when ship enters r departs a port.  This is to prevent sudden and dramatic fall or rise of temperature, to prevent high pressure oil pump or oil injector from being jammed causing poor combustion of main engine and damage.

Read: Ice Seamanship

Water level of boiler hot well should be closely observed, if any oil residues are found.  The fuel oil tank whose steam heating pipe is leaking should be located as soon as possible.  Oil contamination must be absolutely prevented from entering inside of boiler.  When leaking is found in any fuel oil tank, repair should be immediately carried out.