VANADIUM AND SULPHUR IN

MARINE FUELS

Generously sponsored by
 IBIA is thankful to Chris Leigh-Jones, and the Technical Working Group,
for producing this interesting report

IBIA THANKS
LLOYD’S REGISTER
FOR
GENEROUSLY SPONSORING
THIS PUBLICATION

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 Section One

The Effect of Vanadium in Marine Fuels

Introduction

Typical Vanadium Levels

What is wrong with Vanadium

The Quick Explanation

A More Detailed Explanation

3:1 or 1:3 Vanadium to Sodium where did it come from?

What might it do to the Engine?

Fuel Additives

So what does all this mean?

Section Two

Low Sulphur Fuels in Marine Diesel Engines

Introduction

Typical Sulphur Levels

What is good & bad about Sulphur

Engine Operation & Theories

Lubricants

Theories on Engine Wear Reported when using Low

Sulphur Fuels

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 SECTION ONE
The Effect of Vanadium in Marine Fuels

1. Introduction
Vanadium is a naturally occurring element in marine fuel oil and also
one, that when combined with Sodium, can cause engine damage.
The following notes have been written by IBIA to offer an initial point of
reference with regard to vanadium levels. Information has been
gathered from publications and verbal reports and represents a
synopsis of the information available.

2. Typical Vanadium Levels

The ash value of a residual fuel oil is related to the inorganic material
within it, and is the result of various factors:-

¾ The ashes in the crude oil

¾ The source of the various streams in a refinery for the components of
the fuel oil blend
¾ Possible subsequent contamination due to sand, dirt and rust scale.

The main ash forming elements present in crude oil are:-

ƒ Aluminium
ƒ Iron
ƒ Nickel
ƒ Calcium
ƒ Silicon
ƒ Sodium
ƒ Vanadium

Before injection into the diesel engine the fuel is treated onboard which
results in a reduction in the ash level when compared to that delivered
over the ships rail.

Vanadium is contained in the oil in a soluble form, and as such the

levels are unaffected during passage through a centrifuge. The main
component of the ash forming elements contained in the fuel delivered
to the engine is usually vanadium, with sodium being the second
highest contributor. Vanadium, in an ash form, will start to reduce at
test temperatures above 525 0 C, and as such the test is temperature
sensitive.

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 Maximum vanadium levers defined in the marine world are specified in
ISO 8217 as:

Max Vanadium Fuel Grade Comments

mg/kg
None specified (or DMX, DMA, DMB Distillate
present)
100 DMC Distillate, some residual
150 RMA, RMB Residual
200 RME Residual
300 RMC, RMG Residual
350 RMD Residual
500 RMF Residual, high Vanadium
600 RMH, RMK, RML Residual, high Vanadium

Figure 1
Ash Content in Marine Fuel Oil

Figure 1 is a typical distribution of the ash levels in residual fuel, on a

worldwide basis, and covers the complete range of viscosities (IF30 –
IF420). The form of the distribution of the ash level, in the fuel
delivered to the engine, would follow a similar pattern, but would be
slightly displaced to the left so as to account for the removal of various
elements by the onboard treatment process. These being any catalytic
fines, sand and rust scale, which may be present; also sodium, if
present in the fuel as seawater.

Figure 2
Water Content in Marine Fuels

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 Figure 2 shows the distribution of water content, measured in fuel
samples, from many sources, over an extended period. As a general
rule, 1% water is associated with 100 mg/kg sodium. Unlike vanadium,
sodium associated with water contamination, can usually be effectively
removed by a well operated centrifuge system.

Vanadium is a metal element that is present in an oil soluble form in all

crude oils. The levels found in residual fuels depend mainly on the
crude oil source, whilst the actual level is also related to the
concentrating effect of the refinery processes used in the production of
the residual fuel.

Figure 3 shows a distribution of vanadium levels of residual fuel on a

worldwide basis, expressed in mg/kg m/m (previously referred to as
parts per million PPM). From this it can be seen that the proportion of
high vanadium fuel is small and it has been estimated that this is less
than 15% for vanadium levels greater than 200 mg/kg. The main
bunkering areas for such fuel are the East Coast of the USA, and the
Caribbean.

From time to time high vanadium fuel is found in other areas and this is
attributable to the use of variable crude sources by different refineries.
The crude stocks with the highest levels of vanadium are those from
Venezuela and Mexico. The level of sodium usually found in residual
fuels is less than 50 mg/kg, and it has been estimated that some 95%
are less than 100mg/kg. (See Figure 2 where sodium is often
associated with sea water contamination.)

The form in which the sodium is present determines the extent of the
possible reduction in the ship’s fuel treatment plant. Sodium
contamination, in the absence of water, is probably the most difficult
form of this contamination to remove.

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3. What is wrong with Vanadium?
3.1 The Quick Explanation

High temperature corrosion and fouling are phenomena that can be

mainly attributed to the vanadium and sodium content of the oil. Both
these elements oxidise during combustion and, in a series of complex
chemical reactions, form semi-liquid and sticky low melting point salts that
adhere to exhaust valves and turbochargers. These salts are corrosive
and attack the metal to which they adhere.

It is in combination that vanadium pentoxide and sodium sulphate can be

harmful to the operation of the diesel engine. They are responsible for
fouling, and high temperature corrosion of exhaust components.

3.2 A More Detailed Explanation

During combustion the vanadium in the fuel undergoes various changes,

mainly the result of oxidation to form Vanadium Oxide (VO) and
Vanadium Dioxide (VO2). Upon entering cooler areas of the combustion
chamber, or exhaust duct, these gasses cool, condense and undergo
further oxidation resulting in particles containing a high proportion of
Vanadium Pentoxide (V2O5) on the outer layers. As V2O5 has a relatively
low melting point; the condensed particles become semi-liquid and sticky,
with the result that they adhere to the surface they come into contact with.

The sodium in the fuel reacts with the water vapour formed during
combustion to generate sodium hydroxide. This in turn combines with the
sulphur dioxide present in the exhaust gas forming Sodium Sulphate
(Na2SO4). This condenses below about 890oC and will adhere to
surfaces already coated with V2O5. The resultant deposits block gas
passages and corrode metal surfaces.

4. 3:1 or 1:3 Vanadium to Sodium where did it come

from?
The melting points of some vanadium and sodium complexes are shown in
Table 2. This table also shows that some of these complexes have relatively
low melting points.
Table 2
Melting Point 0 C

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In addition to this, the melting points of these salts are further affected by the
ratio of vanadium to sodium in which the salts are present. An example of this
is given in Figure 4.

Figure 4
Effect of Ratio on Melting Point

For example, a complex, where the vanadium is in the ratio of 3:1 to the
sodium, has a melting point of about 300-400oC (depending on whose graph
you look at). The melting point of the various complexes is only part of the
story and the propensity of the solid particles to adhere to metal surfaces may
be increased at temperatures far below melting point. This is illustrated in
Figure 5.

What is shown in Figure 5 is a eutectic diagram illustrating the melting points

for various sodium and vanadium complexes. It is evident from this (solid line)
that there are two ratios where the melting points of the complex are at their
lowest. These ratios are approximately 1:3 and 3:1 V to Na.

Overlaid on top of this is an extrapolation from Figure 4 (chain dotted)

showing the combinations of these complexes where they are likely to
become sticky and adhere to metal surfaces. What is evident from this is that
there is a point where the ratio of Vanadium to Sodium is approximately 3:1
and where there is an increased likelihood of deposit formation i.e. 1:3 V to Na
is not a problem but 3:1 V to Na is potentially problematic.

Figure 5
V / Na Eutectic Diagram

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5. What might it do to the Engine?

Figure 6 shows a large hole in the seat of an exhaust valve. This is the result
of a phenomenon which involves three distinct phases.

1. Erosion: the wearing away of the metal by hot exhaust gases possibly
initiated by the impacting of ash and carbon on the valve.

2. Fused salt corrosion: sodium and vanadium at high temperature form

corrosive fluxes, attacking and corroding exhaust valves, turbocharger
nozzles and blades. The salts dissolve protective oxide layers
facilitating the further gas phase oxidation.

3. Gas phase oxidation: the effect of oxygen in the hot exhaust on metal
engine surfaces.
Figure 6

The extent of hot corrosion and fouling is generally kept at an acceptable level
by the design and operation of diesel engines. The principal means by which
corrosion is minimised is by control of temperature. It is essential to ensure
that exhaust valve temperatures are maintained at temperatures below the
levels at which liquid sodium and vanadium complexes are formed. This is
the reason why the temperature of exhaust valve seats and faces is usually
limited to below 4500C. In recent years, engine designers have incorporated
materials into exhaust valve and seats which are resistant to the corrosive
components of the fuel oil ash. Some engine builders use a Stellite facing
whilst others use nimonic steels in valve manufacture. Also, an increasing
number of designs include exhaust valve rotators which are said to extend the
life. This is achieved of the valve by smoothing the radial temperature
distribution around the valve and preventing repeated impact damage at a
single point on the valve face.

Some older designs of diesel engines do not have the benefit of modern
materials and have high operating temperatures. As a result of this they are
prone to hot corrosion problems and in general the fuel specifications for such
engines have a low limiting value for vanadium. As discussed above it is the
combination of vanadium and sodium that may lead to problems in the post
combustion phase.

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It is for this reason that the ISO 8217 (1987) standard provides fuel grades
with lower vanadium (and MCR) limits than the original BS MA 100 (1982)
levels (e.g. 600 became 300 or 600, 500 became 500 or 200 mg/kg). This
was partly the result of a revised CIMAC recommendation issued during the
interim period between the creation of the two standards. The lower limits
reflected the view of the diesel engine industry (CIMAC) that some older
engine designs were susceptible to hot corrosion. These engines would
typically be those originally designed for operation on distillate fuels.

6. Fuel Additives

In order to reduce these corrosion problems an additive which has the effect
of an ash modifier may, under certain circumstances, be beneficial. The
actual type of ash formed, and its properties depend upon the operating
conditions, and are also influenced by the sulphur gases present and carbon.
Hence, the ash modifier should have the ability to increase the melting point
temperature and makes the ash more friable. By increasing the melting point
temperature, the temperature may reach a point when the ash is not in a
molten form and will not be corrosive. In being more friable the ash is likely to
stick to metal surfaces and affect heat transfer.

There are numerous ash-modifying chemicals that include compounds based

on aluminium, barium, calcium, magnesium and silicon. These different
compounds affect the melting process in different ways, and the physical
nature of the conditioned ash also varies, depending on which compound is
used. Aluminium tends to produce light but voluminous compounds, whilst
those based on barium and calcium tend to form hard insoluble deposits.
Magnesium based ash modifiers give rise to very voluminous deposits.
Situations can arise when the effect of the ash modifier, by incorrect
application, can cause further problems in the downstream post combustion
process.

7. So what does this all mean?

Vanadium is a significant ash forming constituent of fuel oil and reportedly the
one that arouses most interest from ship owners.

For a fixed level of contamination, there is an increased potential to deposit

formation if the ratio of vanadium to sodium contamination is in the ratio of
3:1. However, the total level of contamination is as important as the ratio of
contamination, and modern fuel standards are designed to reflect this.

Although ISO 8217 has a maximum limit of 600mg/kg vanadium, it is unusual

in practise for a value of 400 mg/kg to be exceeded. The incidence of high
vanadium levels (>400 mg/kg) entering the marine bunker market is small
(<5%).

The incidence of high sodium levels, typically associated with seawater

contamination is small (< 1% of deliveries > 100 mg/kg). Correct operation of

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the ships fuel settling and centrifuge systems will remove the great majority of
water contamination (>90% removal efficiency). Care should be taken to
correctly centrifuge fuel where there is a risk of high water and vanadium
levels.

Modern generation engines designed from the outset for operation on residual
fuels will not be susceptible to high temperature corrosion provided they are
well maintained and operated within their design envelope. Such engines will
typically have sophisticated alloy valve seats and valve rotators.

High vanadium and sodium fuels will increase the tendency for deposit
formation in the exhaust passages. Ash deposits can cause fouling in
addition to corrosion problems. Fouling in the exhaust ducts and turbocharger
passages can be controlled by means of regular water washing. Pre and post
combustion additives can assist in maintaining cleanliness in the exhaust
passages.

In the present generation of diesel engines high levels of vanadium in the fuel
should not present any operational problems if regular water washing of the
turbocharger is carried out.

This technical update is provided in good faith by IBIA

for the information of IBIA members only
and no responsibility can be taken by IBIA
for the information and recommendations contained herein.

C Leigh-Jones, Technical Working Group of the IBIA 28 Feb 1998

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 SECTION TWO
Low Sulphur Fuels in Marine Diesel Engines

Introduction
From time to time comments are circulated around the bunker and marine
industry about problems associated with engine operation on fuels with a low
sulphur content. The notes below have been written by IBIA to offer an initial
point of reference with regard to this perceived problem. Information has
been gathered from publications and verbal reports and represents synopses
of the total information available.

1. Typical Sulphur Levels

Sulphur is found in crude oil as a naturally occurring element. The level of

sulphur in the crude is generally indicative of the levels of sulphur that will
occur in the residual fuel stream obtained from that crude. This may be later
altered by the effects of blending and dilution with feed stock derived from
differing crude oils and refinery processes.

Sulphur levels, as defined in the marine world, are specified in ISO 8217 as:

Max Sulphur Fuel Grade Comments

Level

1% DMX Emergency Gen Set Fuel

1.5% DMA Distillate
2% DMB, DMC Distillate
3.5% RMA, RMB, RMC Residual
4% RMD Residual
5% RME all grades to RML Residual

It should be noted that these levels represent maximum limits and in its
present form ISO 8217 does not attempt to specify a minimum level for
sulphur content.

The sulphur level in marine distillate fuels (defined by DMA and DMB) varies
on a worldwide basis. In the case of DMA, which may be described as gas

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oil, this is manufactured primarily for the inland market, and may have a very
low sulphur content to meet local regulations. For example 0.05% sulphur is
commonly used in automotive engines. It is known that at very low sulphur
levels a distillate fuel has reduced lubricity properties and this is overcome by
the use of suitable additives.

Figure 1 shows the distribution of sulphur in residual fuel on a worldwide

basis, the great majority of samples being in the band 1% - 3.5%. Low
sulphur marine fuels form only a small percentage of the total. Such fuels are
typically available form China, Argentina and Brazil. This low sulphur residual
fuel occurs because the crude oil used in its manufacture is known as “sweet
crude”, namely one which contains a low level of sulphur.

Figure 1
Sulphur Content in Marine Fuel Deliveries

Residual fuels used in land based applications can have much lower sulphur
content than the maximum levels specified in ISO 8217. This is due to the
overriding influence of air pollution control legislation. Normally such fuel
commands a higher price than marine fuel oil, which by ISO 8217 may contain
up to 5% wt sulphur fuel designated for the land market to enter the marine
bunker network.

2. What is Good and Bad about Sulphur?

Sulphur will burn and release useful energy so this extent it is a least more
useful than water contamination. However the amount of energy released is
less than would be obtained from typical fuel hydrocarbons in so far as each
percentage of fuel sulphur represents an energy loss of about 0.3 MJ/kg.
Figure 2 shows the relationship between energy content and sulphur levels for
a range of differing fuel densities.

Sulphur will attack the surface of fuel injection components forming very thin
layers of metallic sulfides. This appears to be a distinct disadvantage but is in
reality exactly the opposite. These layers will easily shear and help to prevent
micro-welding and scuffing of the machined surfaces as they rub against each
other during normal engine operation. In effect what is happening is the
sulphur in a fuel acts as a natural EP (Extreme Pressure) additive in much the
same way as those artificially added to high performance lubricants. Fuel
injection components are subject to quite extreme forces during operation and
their designs often rely on some natural lubricity in the fuel passing through
the pumps. Take this away and damage often ensues.
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Figure 3 shows an injector needle from a fuel injector used on a large 2 stroke
marine diesel engine. The needle shows polished marks on the guide and
was the result of 24 hours operation on very low sulphur gas oil.

Figure 3
Damaged Injector Needle

To counter this effect it is common to find that artificial lubricity additives are
added to low sulphur distillate fuels, typically those fuels destined for use in
the road transport industry. These engines often use rotary type fuel injection
pumps which are very sensitive to fuel lubricity properties. It is worth noting at
this point that use of these additives is not a legal requirement and that ISO
8217 merely provides for a maximum sulphur content. Hence, the scenario
that a very low sulphur fuel, with no lubricity additives, can satisfy the
requirements of ISO 8217 but still is unfit for its intended purpose. Beware!

3. Engine Operation and Theories

3a. Lubricants

Cross head engines operating on residual fuel would typically use an

alkaline cylinder lubricating oil of SAE 50 viscosity grade, with a
minimum kinematic viscosity of about 18 – 20 cSt at 1000C. The
alkaline reserve of the oil is indicated by its Base Number (BN, unit
mgKOH/g), and must be chosen with regard to the sulphur content of
the fuel. The higher the sulphur content, the higher the lubricating oil’s
alkaline reserve (BN) must be. The Base Number (BN) was previously
known as Total Base Number (TBN). The difference is the designation;
the units and numerical values are identical.

One leading engine manufacturer gives the following guidance:

Fuel sulphur content (%) Below 0.25 0.25 – 1.0 1.0 – 3.0 Over 3.5
BN cylinder oil (mgKOH/g) About 10 10 – 20 70 More than 70

When running the engine continuously on a fuel having a very low

sulphur content i.e. below 0.5% by weight, an excessively alkaline
cylinder lubricating oil must be avoided. In practice cylinder oils having
a BN of about 10 – 20 and a fuel sulphur content of 0.25 – 1.0% have
proven reliable in service, when used with low sulphur fuels.

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 3b. Theories on Engine Wear Reported when Using Low
Sulphur Fuels

From time to time problems have been experienced by crosshead

marine engines using low sulphur fuel. These problems manifest
themselves as abnormal wear, or scuffing of piston rings and liners.
They have usually been restricted to one or two cylinders in the engine.
There is some debate on the real significance of the phenomenon and
one school of opinion states that the low sulphur problem has been
inflated, or that it simply does not exist. Others suggest that if an
unfortunate experience has occurred with low sulphur fuel, this was as
a result of other reasons besides the low sulphur content itself.

Manufacturers of crosshead engines are divided on the seriousness of

the low sulphur problem. Some believe it is undesirable to use a highly
alkaline oil in conjunction with a low sulphur fuel and, as mentioned,
issue recommendations linking oil alkalinity with various levels of
sulphur. Historically, ship operators have manoeuvred the engines on
diesel oil which typically has a sulphur level of less that 1% (dependent
upon the source of the fuel). The time spent manoeuvring could be
many hours if, for example, a transit was being made of the Suez
Canal or St Laurence Seaway. During this period the cylinder lubricant
applied to the engine was still highly alkaline. Today the majority of
ocean going ships run pier to pier on residual fuel, thus potential
problems from this area is greatly reduced.

Engine Manufacturers have different theories for the high wear that can
sometimes occur when low sulphur fuels are used. One opinion is that
this wear is basically associated with poor “running in”. According to
this theory a certain degree of continuous controlled wear between the
piston rings and cylinder is necessary to maintain a good seal between
the rubbing surfaces by preventing the surfaces from becoming
polished. Polished metal surfaces lose their ability to retain a reservoir
of oil within the surface topography. With little or no oil retention there
is an increased likelihood of micro-seizure leading to scuffing and high
wear rates.

Figure 4 shows a plot of the surface of a cylinder liner. The vertical

ordinate is greatly magnified to illustrate the various peaks and valleys.
It can be seen that the majority (>70%) of the peaks and troughs are
small and this provides a good bearing area to take the thrust from the
piston rings and skirt (this is known as Plateau Honing). A small
number of valleys are much deeper and these act as reservoirs for the
lube oil. Polishing of the liner (or piston ring) surfaces removes these
valleys and leads to scuffing.

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 Figure 4
Plot of the surface of a cylinder liner

High wear rates with low sulphur fuel have been attributed to
deposits on the crown lands of the piston. This is the area
between the top piston groove and the top of the piston crown.
This area can contact the cylinder liner as the piston tilts during
load reversal between compression and firing strokes. This can
occur especially on trunk piston type engines where there is no
cross head guide, and the piston skirt provides vertical
alignment as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5
Diesel Engine Piston

This theory suggests that a combination of low sulphur fuel and

high alkalinity oil alters the chemical nature of the crown land
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 deposits compared to that formed when a fuel of high sulphur is
used. There is a further divergence on the manner in which
such deposits affect wear. One view is that these deposits are
harder when low sulphur is used and therefore a form of
abrasive wear is promoted. Another theory is that the structure
of the deposits with the low sulphur fuel is such that they act as
a sponge for the oil, which results in lack of lubrication of the
cylinder and leads to scuffing.

The results of work carried out in a combustion flame

photography rig have shown that the flame characteristics of low
sulphur fuels from around the world have distinct variations.
Whilst it was not surprising that the flame spread faster with
volatile fuels compared to residual fuels, the duration of the
flame between the fuels had considerable differences.
Expressed in terms of crank angle degrees, this amounted to up
to 300. For comparison, typical full load combustion periods are
around 60 – 800 of crank angle. Late, or slow combustion, will
increase the thermal load on cylinder components leading to
overheating and lubrication problems. Some low sulphur fuels
originating in China have been shown to demonstrate this
potential. In this instance problems could be attributed to low
sulphur levels, when in fact the unusual combustion
characteristics of the fuel provide a more likely explanation.

Other laboratory work, from a study of cylinder oil drainings, has

suggested that operation on low sulphur fuels tended to increase
the rate of oxidation of the cylinder oil. The practical result of
such oxidation would have been an increase in the viscosity of
the oil. This increase could be sufficient to hinder the
distribution of the lubricant within the combustion chamber
resulting in sticking of the piston ring pack. As a result of this
there would be increased gas blow-by , which would lead to a
breakdown of the oil film on the cylinder walls. With failure of
the lubricating system there would be an increase in friction and
resultant scuffing. As in practice the thermal loading on all units
of a direct drive crosshead engine is not equal, damage in the
form of scuffing would be first seen in those units most thermally
loaded, or those with faulty combustion.

Overall the instances of the low sulphur problem appear to be

rare, but when they do exist, high piston and liner wear has been
reported. Strict adherence to the designed operating conditions,
and correct combustion performance, minimises any possible
problem. The use of a low BN cylinder lubricant, whilst being
technically desirable when compared to the usual high BN, may
not always be possible because of the supply constraints of
such a product. If a vessel is regularly trading on low sulphur
fuel consideration should be given to the provision of tankage
and piping for a low alkalinity cylinder lubricant.

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may not be reproduced in any form without the publisher’s written permission
 This technical update is provided in good faith by IBIA
for the information of IBIA Members only
and no responsibility can be taken by IBIA
for the information and recommendations contained herein.

IBIA This report is copyright of The International Bunker Industry Association Ltd and 17
may not be reproduced in any form without the publisher’s written permission