VISWA LAB Tel: USA (713) 842-1985

12140 Almeda Road, Fax: USA (713) 842-1981

Email: customerhelp@viswalab.com
Houston, Texas 77045, USA Web: http://www.viswalab.com

TECHNICAL UPDATE: 2016/9/9

CAMOUFLAGING PROBLEM CAUSING PROPERTIES OF BUNKER FUEL

Over the last few weeks, very interesting analysis results have been identified in
bunker fuels from South East Asia.
The sediment values (ISO 10307‐1 method) are 0.03% to 0.06%. The stability (ASTM
D4740 method) of these fuels is number 1. However, the Reserve Stability Number
(RSN) (ASTM D7061) is between 14.7 and 16 (one exception at 9.2) and the Xylene
Equivalent Number (XE) (modified BP 230) from 38 to 45 (Normal Average). RSN in
normal fuels is below 5 and XE is below 30.
The ASTM D7061 method says “if the separability number is above 10, the stability
reserve of the oil is very low and asphaltenes will easily flocculate, or have already
started to flocculate”.
According to Diesel United‐Sulzer engine Makers technical document, if the Xylene
Equivalent result is high, there is a real risk of fuel pump problems. As per the Class NK
document “Guidance for Measures to Cope with Degraded Marine Heavy Fuels Version
II”, “When the xylene equivalent becomes greater than 30, problems are likely to
occur.”
When very high values for RSN and XE are observed, the fuel should also normally
show higher sediment values and poor stability values (3, 4,5). In these cases however,
only marginally increased sediment content is noted and the stability is 1.
We feel certain that an additive or a blend component is added to the bunker fuel
which suppresses the organic sediment value and bring it within spec. In this process
the stability test value is also brought to number 1.
It may be argued that when the sediment value is within limits and stability is 1, why
worry about this fuel.

VISWA LAB – HOUSTON – SINGAPORE – UK ‐ UAE 1

As a matter of fact, these fuels have caused problems in the engines. They have also
shown presence of contaminants in the GCMS analysis including high levels of styrene
(300 to 600ppm), indene (500 to 700ppm) phenols (150 to 1050 ppm). In addition a
few other contaminants are noted in the fuel. The type of problems experienced were
piston ring breakage in multiple units and purifier choking.
So how do we protect against such camouflaging? We recommend carrying out a XE
and RSN test when the sediment content is greater than 0.03%/0.04% to make sure
they are not at levels likely to cause problems.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Best regards,
Dr.Vis

VISWA LAB – HOUSTON – SINGAPORE – UK ‐ UAE 2