 Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) is not homogenous and has an average droplet size of 70 micron and larger. It contains numerous much larger clusters of asphaltenes and complex long-chain hydro-carbons. It is a refinery waste stream product with a high BTU content used as fuel oil. Centrifuges and automated filters are used to clean the fuel. A percentage of the purchased fuel ends up in the slop tank. HFO needs to be heated and pressurized before it can be used to operated engines or boilers. Exposing fuel to heat and pressure will unavoidably increase the size and mass of the fuel droplet, change the physical condition of the oil and negatively impact the combustion process. Implementing IPCO Power Fluid Shearing Technology reduces fuel droplet size to 3 micron and smaller to enhance the cleaning process and reduce the waste stream going to the slop tank for disposal. IPCO POWER’s FID Reducer Sludge Reduction Systems are installed directly before the centrifuge. As a result of the reduction in fuel droplet size, centrifuges and filters will be able to more effectively remove in-organic contaminants and stay clean much longer. Consequently, sludge generation from centrifuges and filters will be reduced by approx. 50 to 80%(1) as shown in the below diagram. As a result, centrifuge and automated filter flushing intervals will have to be adjusted and will be significantly extended.  The volume of sludge discharged from the fuel separator normally consists of three separate constituents. 1. In-organic debris with density higher than water; 2. Organic material (fuel) with a higher density than water and 3. water. The relative ratios depend on the condition and quality of the fuel and on the type/make and adjustment of the fuel separator.
Some separator manufacturers claim that a homogenizer will reduce separator efficiency. They claim that a homogenizer will reduce the of the separator’s ability to remove materials that: 1. have a higher density than water; and 2. reduce the water removal capability. In principle, centrifuges and filters are designed to remove water and in-organic contaminants from the fuel. Allorganic material, meaning “all of the fuel” was purchased to be combusted in the engine and not toget flushed out of centrifuges and filters and into slop tank. The function of the homogenizer is to prevent that on average one percent or more of all the fuel we purchase ends up in the slop tank for disposal. This is accomplished by reducing the size and mass droplet size of the fuel droplets enabling centrifuges and filters to more effectively remove the in-organic debris that happens to be part of the fresh fuel we bunker. Refineries have significantly reduced the amount of cat-fines and other contaminants in today’s HFO.Never the less, engine protection is top priority. And that is exactly where IPCO Power homogenizers make a contribution. They reduce size and mass of the fuel droplet consequently enhancing centrifuge and filter efficiencies. In IPCO Power’s homogenizer, the fuel passes through a 300 micron opening between the homogenizer stator and rotor that spins at 3000 RPM causing the fluid shearing. FRAS Technology(2) has confirmed that a homogenizer has no influence on the number and sizes of the hard (in-organic) particles in the fuel. CIMAC(3) has published a report comparing particle size distribution and particle count with and without the use of a homogenizer before the centrifuge. In its conclusion, CIMAC reports a 4-6% improvement in particle removal efficiency, when using a homogenizer/separator combination instead of ONLY a separator. IPCO Power agrees with the statements made by CIMAC(4) and the Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute(5). Both institutions claim that when the water content in the fuel exceeds 1%, the homogenizer + separator in tandem will remove less water from the fuel. However, according to ISO 8217:2005 norm for the fuel taken onboard when bunkering has to be less than 0,5%. Consequently, totally emulsifying the trace amounts of water that may still be coming on board when bunkering is an excellent benefit and contributes to engine and injection system protection. Never the less, accidents may happen and the 0.5% water-in-fuel limit may be exceeded. Therefore IPCO Power recommends installing a water in oil sensor/alarm module to automatically shut down the homogenizer in the event of out of spec fuel. Any reduction in separator efficiency will be visible in short notice. IPCO Power is proud to say that ALL the homogenizers it has installed since 2006 operate as expected. And, during these years, all our equipment has met and exceeded customer expectations. 1 Vessel Evaluation Reports (MV Makiri Green, MV Schieborg) 2 FRAS Technology – Oil Analysis 08-21693 3 CIMAC Paper 160 – Actual Capability of Shipboard Fuel Oil Pre-treatment Systems (in cooperation with NYK LINE) 4 CIMAC Paper 160 – Actual Capability of Shipboard Fuel Oil Pre-treatment Systems (in cooperation with NYK LINE) 5 Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute – Project Green Efforts for Existing Ships
On every vessel we visit we are providing the required training to operate the water fuel emulsion system. To maintain the knowledge you can follow the training via the following youtube link:   IPCO Power is awarded with the order to supply Water Fuel Emulsion systems for the P&O Oceana. With the order almost the whole fleet from Carnival UK is covered with Water Fuel Emulsion systems.  P&O Britannia working with water fuel emulsion to reduce soot and particulate matter emissions7/11/2018
 The Water Fuel Emulsion systems (FID Injector) on board P&O Britannia are up and running. The systems are installed to reduce visible smoke, soot and PM from the exhaust emissions. The vessel will operate on HFO and scrubber technology. Together with the water fuel emulsion system environmental friendly operation is assured. Royal Princess in Rotterdam with the scrubber and water fuel emulsion system up and running24/9/2018
 Last week IPCO Power checked the Water Fuel Emulsion system on board Royal Princess. The Royal Princess was in port Rotterdam running with scrubber and WFE system. The Water Fuel Emulsion system is installed to reduce PM and Soot. This as pre treatment for the scrubber system. This way the vessel will have the cleanest emissions.
 Seabourn Encore's Water Fuel Emulsion system is up and running. With the system the exhaust emissions will be reduced. IPCO Power's WFE system is called the FID Injector. The FID Injector is an Emissions purification and combustion improvement system designed to create a stable “water in fuel” emulsion. The implementation of emulsified fuel significantly enhances fuel atomization and distribution in the combustion chamber. This results in more effective combustion, lower fuel consumption and a reduction of NOx, HC and PM pollutants, while the engine’s combustion chambers, pistons, exhaust system and lube oil will stay much cleaner. Benefits:
  The FID Injector on board Carnival Valor was commissioned between Houston and Cozumel. The system is in operation since the beginning of this month. 
  IPCO Power will supply it's Water Fuel Emulsion systems to Grand Princess and Star Princess. The systems will be installed as part of the Exhaust Gas project from Carnival Corp. The FID Injector will be used as pre treatment to reduce PM and soot emissions. The FID Injector will create a combustion improvement which will result in a 2% fuel saving.  IPCO Power was available at this years Seatrade Cruise Global in Fort Lauderdale. On the exhibition we have introduced new clients the Fuel Treatment solutions from IPCO Power. Also we spoke to the project managers involved in the scrubber project from Carnival Corp to evaluate the performance of the Water Fuel Emulsion systems.
 IPCO Power received a new order for two Water Fuel Emulsion system (FID Injector) for the Seabourn Encore. We are proud with this trust and commitment from Seabourn and Carnival Corp. The Seabourn Encore is a new vessel which was delivered to Seabourn at November 30th 2016. The ship is 40,350 tons and 210 meters long, with a cruising speed of 18.6 knots for 600 guests. Currently the complete fleet of Seabourn Cruise Lines (Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Sojourn) is equipped with IPCO Power's FID Injectors. IPCO Power’s FID Injector is a combustion improvement system designed to create a stable “water in fuel” emulsion. The implementation of emulsified fuel significantly enhances fuel atomization and distribution in the combustion chamber. This results in more effective combustion, lower fuel consumption and a reduction of NOx, HC and PM pollutants, while the engine’s combustion chambers, pistons, exhaust system and lube oil will stay much cleaner.   During October 4th and October 10th 2016 several vessels of Princess Cruises were commissioned. Each vessel was installed with IPCO Power's Water Fuel Emulsion System to reduce they emissions as pre treatment for the scrubber system. With the system the vessels will also achieve a 2% fuel saving. On each vessel the systems the systems were commissioned with the same procedure. After the commissioning the crew involved the necesarry training to operate the system. The following vessels were commissioned: Between October 4th and October 6th 2016 the Island Princess On October 8th 2016 the Royal Princess On October 9th 2016 the Caribbean Princess On October 10th 2016 the Coral Princess |
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