The use of homogenizers with 2020 compliant fuel

With the 2020 Sulphur cap the Sulphur limits on fuel will be reduced from 3,50% to 0,50%. Shipowners can take several options to comply:

• Operate on 0,50% Sulphur fuel
• Operate on LNG
• Continue on 3,50% Sulphur fuel, but use Exhaust Gas scrubbers to reduce SOx emissions

 
On a regular basis we currently receive questions if fuel homogenizer work on 2020 compliant fuel. It is important to understand that 2020 compliant fuel is only referring to 0,50% Sulphur. It does not mean that any other part of the specification of the fuel is improved. 
 
Fuel homogenizers have the highest improvement with HFO 180 – 700.
With the 0,50% Sulphur compliant fuel the viscosity of the fuel will be reduced, but still most of the used fuel will be above the HFO 180 grade.

The expectations for the 2020 compliant fuels are problems with:

• Instability of fuels 
• Incompatibility between fuel batches

Most of the 2020 compliant fuels are blends. 
 
In these areas the homogenizers excel. Homogenizers will improve fuel into a homogenous mixture. Even when batches are sometimes incompatible. 
 
Engine makers and insurance companies are expecting severe issues with the upcoming compliant (but sometimes) untested fuels.
 
The fuel homogenizers will add another layer of protection.