Low Sulfur Fuel

FuelSpec® 117 Series with Lubricity Agents

Although the low sulfur fuel regulations currently in place have advantages for the environment they present significant challenges to the marine operator. Low sulfur fuel can pose several wear and maintenance engine issues for:

  • Fuel oil supply systems (pipes, pumps, cooler/heater, fuel oil booster systems)
  • Main propulsion and auxiliary engines
  • Auxiliary boilers (specifically burners and burner control systems)

Without the lubricating quality of older Diesel fuels, modern compression-ignited engines will have problems with ultra-low sulfur fuels because of lack of lubrication (galling) on moving parts in contact. One option is to add lubricity agents to the fuel to replace lubricating characteristics.  These products contain no sulfur and are safe for use in low sulfur fuesl.  The lubricating effect is tested by the ASTM HFRR test.

To offset the effects of hydrodesulfurization, SFA International developed FuelSpec® 117 Series which contains lubricity agents for high aliphatic content ASTM No. 1 (naphtha) and ASTM No. 2 (distillate) fuels.  The components have demonstrated synergy with metal containing additives in reducing fuel consumption, particulate matter and NOx.

SFA has two types of lubricity agents – one is based on pipeline drag reducer technology and the second is based on high molecular weight ester technology.  Both are very effective and proven in field use.  Addition of the lubricity agent to our iron-magnesium combustion catalyst improves performance in fuels containing less than 1,000 ppm sulfur.

Recent innovations in our natural gas technology have allowed us to ascertain engineering protocols that, when used in conjunction with our catalysts, provide even greater results to the user including a higher percentage of nitrogen oxide reduction.  Depending on your particular engine, using FuelSpec® 117 Series product may alleviate the necessity of additional emission abatement technology.

All of our products are supplied with custom additive dosing equipment.  Installation and test projects are handled by trained personnel to ensure successful results.