Support you source the fuel you need.
What is performance management?
Our performance management solutions monitor the efficiency of your entire fuel system and advise on the measures required to improve it.
A detailed audit of your entire fuel handling and treatment systems will check whether each component is working correctly. This will also identify any required adjustments to reduce the risk of potential damage and quality disputes.
Fuel system audit
A fuel system audit involves the crew taking measurements across the fuel system on board; from storage and settling tanks to the separator plant, line filters and engine inlet, a fuel system audit checks the fuel quality at every treatment stage.
Through analysis of samples taken both before and after fuel passes through each system component. The analysis is used to determine whether each component is working correctly so any required adjustments can be managed effectively.
FOBAS engine
Our fuel oil bunker analysis advisory service (FOBAS) engine analyses eight key condition indicators that significantly affect the efficient operation of your engine:
- Fuel oil quality
- Air cooler and scavenge air
- Combustion performance
- Cylinder oil feed rate
- Cylinder drain oil condition
- Liner and ring wear
- System oil condition
- Engine performance indicators
This is combined with advanced dilution theory (Flame ADT) from Flame Diagnostic, which normalises the effects of dilution within the system drain oil to allow meaningful analysis to be carried out. Without this vital process changing conditions may not be revealed.
Lube oil analysis
Lube oil analysis is an independent testing and advisory service which provides an opportunity to establish lube oil characteristics. This is an ideal basis for regular condition monitoring of your machinery equipment.
This differs from fuel oil analysis in that we build up test history for each enrolled machine to identify trends. This allows us to detect changes in condition status which may be indicative of issues that requires further investigation.
These trends can also be used to determine an appropriate course for remedial action. Actions vary from a simple re-sample and oil top-up or change, through to fuel system maintenance activities, such as filter changes or extended monitoring. In some circumstances, there may be emergency indications that machines should be removed from service immediately to prevent further deterioration and instigate repairs.
The FOBAS engine assessment programme (FEAP) has been specifically designed as a periodic condition monitoring tool for two-stroke main engines.
One of the important differentiators which makes this FEAP distinctive from the standard drain oil analysis widely offered, is the unique correction factor applied to normalise the effects of dilution within the system drain oil. This allows us to provide a more meaningful engine condition assessment.
Engineering investigation and advice
Our experienced marine fuel consultants have a variety of analytical tools at their disposal to identify a problem.
Any suspected poor-quality fuels can be thoroughly investigated by our team to support ship operators. This evidence can help build and support their fuel quality claim.
Depending on the problems encountered by the vessel, samples are taken from various points along the vessel’s fuel system. Advised by the marine fuel consultant, these samples can be taken either by the vessel crew or by an appointed independent surveyor. The samples are submitted to one of our designated laboratories where various standard and in-depth analyses can be performed, forensic tests can also be used to identify contaminants.
