increased water content in HFO

[alfkaris44]

Hi All
We have been experiencing increased water content and sludge build up in HFO storage tanks; this problem has been ongoing for couple of months. At times the water content at the transfer pump would rise to about 4.0%, I don’t know if the above problem is necessitated by HFO spec at the point of sourcing. I would really appreciate if the following questions are answered
• Do we have additive in the market which provides solution for the following problem; 1. Reduce water content in HFO 2. Prevent solid formation at the bottom of the tank 3. Improve combustion rates
• What effects do the additive pose to environment and machines?
FYI. The HFO source is used for generation of power at a thermal plant.

 

[JLSeagull]

HFO?

 

[BigInch]

(heavy fuel oil)
Do a water content test on loading source before loading.
Keep the tank full to prevent condensation.
Drain off excess water to to the oily water treatment plant.



**********************
"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world’s energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies)

http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/

 

[21121956]

Hello everybody:

Water content of heavy fuel oil may come from several different sources, it can either be fresh or salt. It can also be originated by condensation in the storage tanks.

If water is sweet and very well emulsified in heavy fuel oil, the effective energy content of the fuel decreases with increasing water content, leading to an increase in fuel consumption.

If heavy fuel oil is contaminated with seawater, the chlorine in the salt will cause corrosion of the fuel handling system, including the injection equipment.

In order to keep the water away from your fuel oil, at least these points should be achieved:

a. The Buffer tanks temperature: 60°C.
b. The Day tanks temperature: 80°C.
c. Drain daily each storage tank. Sometimes it is needed to do so twice a day, depending on the location of the plant.
d. Operate appropriately your fuel oil separators.

According to the Test Method ISO 3733, the water content before the engine is:

1. Good: < 0,1% v/v
2. Moderate: 0,1% - 0,3% v/v
3. Poor: > 0,3% v/v
4. Limit: =< 0,5% v/v

I hope this can help you.

 

[alfkaris44]

@ mechanical will take your points in advisement however at the drainage valve of storage tank. The product dispense is hfo with water content of about 2.0%. Worth noting the storage tank lack insulation hence we have different temperatures at the top 39degc, middle section 32degc andbottom28degc. We have instituted pre-heating of the trucks before offloading to a temperature of 50degc. Day tank heated 90degc
buffer tank 70degc Kindly advise on whether we have fuel additive that can improve on pour point or reduce water content. Finally do you have any ideas on sludge build up

 

[alfkaris44]

@jetsegull yes hfo

 

[alfkaris44]

@biginch periodic truck test is done before offloading and also storage tanks testing is conducted regularly. Finally test before and after seperator is done also engine inlet test is conducted.

 

[JLSeagull]

I saw a message earlier using HFO and describing the grades as number 6 fuel oil or bunker C. Within the industry we often see similar acronyms such as VGO that could be virgin gas oil or vacuum gas oil. Consider writing heavy fuel oil the first time with the acronym to avoid confusion.

 

[BigInch]

Then assuming it passed the tests, its condensation and obviously not related to a problem with the "HFO source spec". So then, why did you suspect the source spec?

**********************
"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world’s energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies)

http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/

 

[jmw]

Water is sometimes added fraudulently (4% of the fuel can be a nice little earner for someone plus the water may push the density up allowing higher amounts to be invoiced (dependent on when and how the density is measured)- so it is as well to ask for a detailed fuel analysis before receipt and not to accept a simple "conforms to spec" or "typical" values, and to test that the fuel is what it says it is.
I was on site at a power plant in Portugal where they had to dump the fuel because there was so much water in it "you could shower in it" as one of the engineers said.
Certificates of conformity don't help much since unless you know what the exact properties should be you can't tell what has been going on.
Most adulterations of any significance will cause changes to density and viscosity which can be tested inline or in tank relatively quickly and easily but you need a lab analysis for the fuel to know what these should be to detect any changes.
If you get a match with density and viscosity you can be confident nothing significant has happened. Then run normal tests as required but a failure to match the density or the viscosity is an instant alert that the fuel is not the fuel described in the certs.
It is not unknown for fuel oils to be used as dumping grounds for chemicals and used lubricants.
Water addition is sometimes a simple fraud but one day it might be used dry cleaning chemicals, toxic waste or who knows what.
SO always test by whatever means are available.
Heavy fuels are particularly vulnerable as no one seems to spend any money of fuel management or instrumentation....


JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[JJPellin]

It sounds to me like the concentration of the contaminants in the bottom of the tank is the main issue. Addition of a tank mixer would keep the tank homogeneous. If the incoming product passes specifications, then the outgoing product would, as well. I suggest consulting with a tank mixer vendor. This is a common concern on our crude tanks. A certain amount of water and solids is present. As long at the tank is well mixed and the contaminants don't settle out and concentrate, it is not a problem.

Johnny Pellin