Parker FG-K17401-KW, Instruction Manual

Page: 62 / 95

MA-K17510-KW LinerSCAN manual ISSUE P.doc Page 61 of 93
6.5 Fuel Quality and catalyst fines
Residual fuel has been used on slow speed diesel engines successfully for years. Unfortunately for
users, refining and bunkering technology has improved. This means that more of the crude oil can be
converted to the more expensive fractions like gasoline, the left over residual fuel can now have higher
levels of unwanted components such as sulphur, catalyst fines and waste plastics. These can have a
dramatic affect on the condition of the engine.
One such event, led to the damage of an engine. After normal operating conditions, the fuel was
switched to that which was recently bunkered. This fuel was with in specification but had a higher than
average catalyst fines content (also known as fine cracking catalysts).
Before the fuel switch over the ferrous iron content of the waste cylinder lubricant on each cylinder
was approximately 100ppm. Within an hour, the values were in excess of 1000ppm.
Samples of the waste lubricant were taken days after the event and analysed in a laboratory. Even
though the samples were taken days after the initial problem they still showed signs of very high wear
and increased levels of Aluminium and Silicon, all are indicators of high catalyst fines.
Figure 4 Damaged caused by High catalyst fines 1