increased water content in HFO
increased water content in HFO
(OP)
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.
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.





RE: increased water content in HFO
RE: increased water content in HFO
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.
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"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/
RE: increased water content in HFO
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.
RE: increased water content in HFO
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
RE: increased water content in HFO
RE: increased water content in HFO
RE: increased water content in HFO
RE: increased water content in HFO
**********************
"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/
RE: increased water content in HFO
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
www.ViscoAnalyser.com
RE: increased water content in HFO
Johnny Pellin