Alfa Laval Fuel Conditioning System

Kunshan, 2019 July 10th

Cynthia Gong
The Adaptive Fuel Line - Alfa Laval FCM
Alfa Laval FCM

What’s Fuel Conditioning

System/booster unit
The main purpose of the fuel
conditioning system is to ensure proper
conditioning of the fuel oil fed from
service tank to engines.

FCM ensures that correct flow, pressure,

viscosity and temperature, cleanliness to
match engine specifications.

Slide 3
Alfa Laval FCM
Alfa Laval FCM is ready for handling 2020 multiple fuels:
- Density reading
- Viscosity monitoring and controlling
- 10 μm filter in hot side to better protection against catalytic fines
- Segregation of incompatible fuels
- Dedicated parameters for all the fuels in use
- Safely managing by controlled changeover process among them

Slide 4
 Alfa Laval FCM – Main Equipment
Main equipment are Alfa Laval products

Other essential equipment are covered by long term agreements

© Alfa Laval Slide 5

Alfa Laval FCM – Benefits

Fuel flexibility
• Automatic and remote fuel changeover
• Automatic management multiple fuel, up to 4 fuels
• Dedicated parameters for the conditioning of each of them

Safe operation
• Easy human interface, module design
• Safe fuel C/O process compliant with engine makers
requirements
• Fuel log book and documented performance

Global Presence
• One partner in the fuel line
• Global service network to assist on essential equipment
• Global availability of the spare parts
© Alfa Laval Slide 6
 Alfa Laval FCM – Importance Fuel Change-over

 Lost propulsion awareness  MAN‘s service letter for

due to incorrect change-over operation with 0.5% fuel oil
Alfa Laval FCM – Controlled Fuel Change-over
Alfa Laval FCM ensure controlled fuel change-over
• Full automatic fuel changeover procedure in system
• Safe and easy operation by touch panel
• Possibility to set the temperature ramp/gradient and the viscosity limits of the
fuel during the changeover process

Push Fuel button

CV5 moves toward 
t0 CV starts to move Temp. ramp starts
by‐pass (MGO‐>HFO)

CV5 moves Cooler 
tpar CV stops
(HFO‐>MGO)

If VT goes out of the  If required, CV4 
limit, temp ramp 
switch Heater/Cooler
stops

tramp Temp. ramp finished

tdelay Viscosity within limits

C/O finished

© Alfa Laval
Alfa Laval FCM – Fuel Change-over on Board

Variable engine load:

fuel changeover in real life conditions

Progressive fuel temperature change

at engine inlet (set the c°/minute)

Viscosity is kept within set limits (set

the high / low cSt value)

© Alfa Laval Slide 9

Alfa Laval FCM – Fuel Change-over Documented
Alfa Laval FCM – Low Flashpoint Fuel Supply System

MGO
HFO

ECR

Deck
LPG
NH3
MeOH

FCM LPG FVT

Engine Room
Alfa Laval FCM – Low Flashpoint Fuel Supply System

MeOH ME-LGIM Engines

 Methanex project:

 MeOH Carriers (50.000 DWT), Engine Type: 6G50ME-LGI, (7.58 MW)

 9 units in 2014: 7 Marine Units + 2 Test Units

 4 units in 2017: 4 Marine units, Updated design

 Fleet Run Hours: in excess of 20.000+ hrs

Alfa Laval FCM – Low Flashpoint Fuel Supply System

LPG ME-LGIP Engines

1° unit delivered to MAN-ES Test Center: 4T50ME-X, ~8 MW
• Final Performance Test in MAN by Feb 2019
• Marine Design consolidated by 2019 Q1
• Approval in Principle from ABS by 2019 Q1
Alfa Laval FCM – Moatti filter
Alfa Laval Moatti
10µm fuel oil filters
Improving engine lifetime with better protection
against catalytic fines
The threat of Cat Fines

Liner

• Cat Fines are very hard: they can get

embedded in engine components and Piston ring

cause severe abrasive wear to:

− Cylinder liner and piston rings

• Cat Fines vary in size but those larger

than 10µm can be particularly harmful.

• Cat Fines can also affect fuel pumps,

injectors and valves.

Slide 16
Recommendations

• MAN D&T: Service letter SL2017-638

SL2017-638

Other service letters:

2012
Wärtsilä issues Technical Bulletin RT-140

2013
Study reveals the danger of Cat Fines

2016
MAN issues Service Letter SL2016-615/JFH
Engine guides

MAN D&T
Recommendation

Solution fully matching

engine makers’
recommendations
Main features

Treatment:
Automatic and integrated diversion chamber
 back-flushed oil is treated and can be
recirculated

To sludge
tank

Auto
Filter
Heater

Supply Flow Circulating

pump meter pump

Deaerator
By-pass
Filter

Regeneration: Protection:
10µm mesh – fine filtration
Continuous back-flushing
right before the engine
Working principle

Slide 20
Key benefits Aluminium frame

 10µm absolute mesh

 Continuous back-flushing technology

 Automatic & integrated diversion chamber

Triple layer mesh
(stainless steel)

 Fuel oil used as back-flushing medium

 Low OPEX – long lasting elements

 Easy maintenance and cleaning

Summary
Alfa Laval FCM, link to 2020 Fuels

• Automatic and safe change over

More fuel • Handle up to 4 types of fuels
variations
• Avoid stability and comptability issues

Fuel Flexibility

Cat Fine
• 10 µ Moatti filter as last line of defence
Issues

Engine Protection
Slide 22
Thank you for attention

Alfa Laval Conditioning and Filtration
– be a step ahead