LFO to MFO

[aida2011]

Hi all

We are planning to switch fuel from light fuel oil (LFO) to medium fuel oil (MFO) to save cost. The viscosity of LFO is 80 cSt while MFO is 180 cSt. Our burners (rotary cup) can tolerate 40 cSt.

We are now heating our LFO to 80 deg.C to obtain 40 cSt. My question, how high would the temperature for MFO need to be increased to obtain 40 cSt and how much steam required?

Thank you for your assistance.

Best regards

Miss Aida Hanani
Malaysia

 

[GenB]

Saybolt numbers not my specialty. You will best place req in E.T. combustion forum.

 

[LittleInch]

You need to obtain the viscosity temperature details from your supplier as these things are very supply dependant. My guess would be 120 to 150C to get to 40cSt.

How much steam - Depends on your flowrate, heat capacity of your oil and "steam" and efficiency of your heat exchanger.

My motto: Learn something new every day

Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way

 

[aida2011]

Mr LittleInch

Is it not dangerous to heat oil to 150 deg.C?

Thanks

 

[racookpe1978]

What pressure is the oil at at 150 deg C?
What kind of oil - how volatile?
What service conditions? (Inside a refinery already, or out in public/near the public? )

 

[LittleInch]

Of course it is potentially dangerous, but if that's what you need to do then you can make it work by increasing the pressure so that it is greater than the vapour pressure at that temperature. However you have oil at 80C now, which is quite dangerous to people so I assume you have precautions about handling, leaks etc.

Increased temperature and safety are some of the other considerations you need to think about when deciding whether to change from LFO to MFO.

As I said, my temperatures are a guess - it could be 100C, it could b 160C - ask the supplier.

either that or get new burners...

My motto: Learn something new every day

Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way