There are 3 key features of marine gas oil that you need to look for before choosing it for your vessel. These features are the Cetane index, Low sulfur content, and Maintenance of fuel viscosity. You can find out more about them by reading this article. Once you have these criteria, you are on your way to selecting the best marine fuel oil for your vessel. This article will explain the different aspects of marine fuel oil and how they affect your boat.
Cetane index
This article looks at the factors that affect the Cetane Index of Marine Gas Oil (CI). The CI is calculated based on the density of the fuel. ASTM D1298 measures the density of the sample. The results are then statistically evaluated to determine the correlation between the two variables. The results are shown in Table 6.
This value can be found on the bunker delivery note and is an important property of marine fuel oil. High Cetane index fuels are necessary for high-rpm engines. However, low Cetane index fuels must be stored in drums for safekeeping. Moreover, their low flashpoint makes them suitable for marine engines with higher rpm. Therefore, low-quality Marine Gas Oil results in inadequate hydrodynamic lubrication, causing engine wear and tear.
Low sulfur content
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has reduced the sulfur content of marine fuel to 0.50% worldwide. Although the cost of the new fuels was initially high, they have since fallen to around $70/t, well below expectations. The weaker global trade and rising oil costs have also contributed to the lower demand for marine fuels. While IMO has not imposed any specific price increase, refiners have increased investment in their products.
Maintenance of fuel viscosity
Maintaining fuel viscosity is a crucial element of proper lubrication for marine applications. The correct lubrication oil viscosity is vital for calculating combustion performance, adjusting fuel handling systems, and maintaining the injection system. Fuel viscosity alone does not provide a good indication of fuel quality, and it is important to know the viscosity of the marine gas oil used in your engine. A vessel’s fuel treatment plant can only treat it up to a certain level, so it’s advisable to check the viscosity of the fuel before ordering.
