The shipping company Navigasa operates three cargo vessels: M/V Mandeo and the sisterships M/V Finita R and M/V Manuela E running IFO 180. After having used the chemical additive Aderco for four years, the company decided to evaluate the fuel system cleaner XBEE on board the M/V Finita R.
To ensure accurate and reliable monitoring of the experiment, the following operations have been carried out:
September 2011 → 1st measurement of main engine emissions (Wärtsilä 6L32) prior to the use of XBEE technology in the fuel.
February 2013 → 2nd measurement of the main engine’s main emissions. After 1,680 operating hours with XBEE fuel system cleaner.
November 2013 → Overhaul of the ship after a total of 21,268 hours of main engine operation.
November 2015 → 3rd measurement of pollutant emissions and specific fuel consumption. At 25, 50 and 75% main engine load, after 27,992 operating hours.
The measurements have clearly shown that in both cases the pollutant emissions have been substantially reduced when using XBEE: after 6 months (1,680 hours) and after three years (10,930 hours).
| Gas Emissions | 09/20/11 | 02/28/13 | Difference % |
|---|---|---|---|
| O2 (%) | 13.00 | 15.20 | 16.92 |
| CO2(%) | 6.50 | 5.6 | -13.85 |
| CO (ppmv) | 62.00 | 54.00 | -12.90 |
| CO (kg/h) | 1.20 | 1.05 | -12.500 |
| NOx(mg/Nm3) eq. NO2 | 1,866.00 | 814.00 | -56.38 |
| NOx (kg/h) | 28.00 | 12.61 | -54.96 |
| SO (mg/Nm3) | 1,984.00 | 702.00 | -64.626 |
| SO2(kg/h) | 29.80 | 10.88 | -63.49 |
In November 2015, after 28,000 hours of operation, the emission levels of the vessel’s main engine are lower than those set by the Wärtsilä protocol for CO and CO2 (at 25, 50 and 75% load). In fact, almost the same for NOx: 10.74 g/kWh compared to 10.60 g/kWh according to the manufacturer’s protocol.
Furthermore, the engine-specific fuel consumption has been reduced by the use of XBEE; compared to the manufacturer’s test bench data.
| Energy | Test bench | Measurements Nov. 2015 | Evolution % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25% | 230.68 g/kWh | 200.50 g/kWh | -13.08 |
| 50% | 198.91 g/kWh | 193.90 g/kWh | -2.52 |
| 75% | 190.71 g/kWh | 186.90 g/kWh | -2.00 |
After 4,500 operating hours at IFO 1810, it was clear. The tanks and the engine were in optimum condition for cleaning and maintenance. XBEE not only benefits the engine but also contributes to cost savings and reduced emissions.
“XBEE enzymatic technology cleans and optimises fuels in a sustainable way. And therefore keeps engines, filters, lines and tanks clean”.
