Combustion quality of marine residual fuels measured by constant volume combustion chamber method

In recent years, the steep rise in crude oil costs, demand for light oils such as gasoline, kerosene, diesel oil has been increasing, and increased sophistication of oil refining technology has led to a tendency towards the production and supply of low quality marine residual fuel oil (hereinafter MFO). Among the many types of degradation, deterioration of the combustion quality of MFO in large marine diesel engines is of particular concern, as it causes such problems as poor combustion in diesel engines. In addition, there is a large risk that these problems will be associated with serious problems like piston ring damage and abnormal wear of the cylinder liner.

This paper presents the results of the combustion qualities and general properties of actual marine fuel oil analysis using a constant volume combustion chamber instrument (Fuel Ignition Analyzer, hereinafter FIA), and further describes the relationships between combustion quality, general properties and engine problems. Examples of coping strategies are described so that problems caused by fuel oil with poor combustion quality can be avoided.