Wednesday, 16th December 2009
16 DECEMBER: INTERTANKO & OCIMF LOW SULPHUR FUEL IN BOILERS - RISK ASSESSMENT
Environmental regulations will require main and auxiliary boilers to change from standard heavy fuel oil (HFO), for which many of them were specifically designed, to operate on low-sulphur fuel oils - almost certainly gas oil fuels.
INTERTANKO - supported by OCIMF - have produced a guide to aid risk assessment for boiler systems in oil tankers covering the switching to and long term operations on LSMGO. It is recommended that this assessment is conducted in cooperation with the equipment manufacturer and ship's classification society.
Classification societies should be consulted to determine what survey and approval are required for modifications. This may include requirements for documentation to be submitted for approval, certification of components and materials, survey and testing onboard.
Ship owners should document that they have initiated the upgrading process, that necessary modifications have been planned for and are in progress and that its completion is foreseeable and dependent on supply of solutions, parts and class approvals, as appropriate.
INTERTANKO advise that differences between the composition and physical criteria of LSMGO and HFO make significant differences with regard to the safe operation and operational procedures. Operators will need to undertake a risk assessment process and consider the need for modification to equipment as well as updating procedures and training for the crew.
Click here to see the INTERTANKO OCIMF Low sulphur fuel in boilers - risk assessment guidelines
28 August: Lloyd's Register has issued the following guidance note on maintaining boiler safety and availability when using low-sulphur fuels.
Environmental regulations will require main and auxiliary boilers to change from standard heavy fuel oil (HFO), for which many of them were specifically designed, to operate on low-sulphur fuel oils - almost certainly gas oil fuels.
The following points are reiterated to owners and operators:
- Boiler and fuel system manufacturers should be consulted for fuel switching guidance and to confirm that the boiler, combustion control systems and associated fuel system components, such as pumps, are suitable for the intended types of fuel.
- The furnace purge process must be functioning correctly. It is essential that the whole of the furnace space is fully purged before re-lighting any fires.
- Burners, in general, and tips, in particular, must be appropriate to each type of fuel to be used.
- The spark igniters (or equivalent) must be correctly functioning and positioned so as to readily ignite the fuel spray on start up.
- All boiler flame detection and related safety systems must be operating correctly. In the case of flame detectors, they must be correctly positioned to pick out the particular flame pattern which is encountered with the types of fuel to be used.
- Manual and automated combustion control system functions should be checked as necessary to ensure they are operating correctly and reliably.
- Due to their searching nature, the use of gas oil fuels in systems which have generally previously operated with HFO can result in seepage of fuel from pipe flanges, equipment seams and other fittings.
- To ensure the minimum quantity of carbon deposition material within the combustion and uptake spaces, soot blowers should be operated at the latest possible opportunity before entry into coastal and port waters.
- The boilers, burner and fuel oil system, including the relevant automatic controls, should be reviewed by means of a HAZOP workshop, through which the action points for the operators and manufacturers can be identified.
- Oil fuel burning arrangements must be in accordance with the Rules of the relevant classification society.
The above list is not exhaustive.
Owners are reminded that all modifications to main and auxiliary boilers and associated fuel supply and control systems must be appraised by the vessel's classification society in order to ensure that class is maintained.
Source: BIMCO