Bunker Fuel Analysis
Solutions for Bunker Fuel Testing and Bunker Fuel Blending for MARPOL Sulfur Compliance
Bunker Fuel Analysis for IMO Sulfur Requirements
MARPOL Sulfur Analyzer | Process Sulfur Analyzer
As measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships increase, Applied Rigaku Technologies offers fast, reliable analytical solutions for bunker fuel testing and real-time in-line sulfur analysis for bunker fuel monitoring and blending.
The marine and shipping industry is continually experiencing regulatory changes driven by increasing environmental concerns, resulting in ever-tightening regulations restricting sulfur emissions from ships. Under MARPOL sulfur regulations, marine fuels used outside emission control areas (ECAs) must meet a 0.5% wt threshold to comply with International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2020 requirements. This threshold is substantially reduced from the previous limit of 3.5%, requiring traditional bunker fuels (heavy fuel oil, or HFO) to be blended down to meet the new sulfur content specifications. As ships switch to marine gas oil (MGO) and efforts continue to lower and reduce sulfur from marine fuels, the benchtop NEX QC Marine Fuel Analyzer (MFA) and NEX XT process sulfur analyzer help ensure MARPOL sulfur compliance. They are ideal systems for vessels, Port State Control (PSC), bunker suppliers, and refiners.
Application Notes
Benchtop NEX QC MFA — Fast, Convenient Bunker Fuel Analysis and More
For at-line sulfur analysis of bunker fuel onboard ships or at bunkering ports, the Rigaku NEX QC MFA is an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analyzer optimized for the routine determination of sulfur in oil. NEX QC MFA is calibrated from 0.05 to 3.5 wt% S and is accurate to within 10ths of a ppm at 0.5 wt% S, easily meeting the industry’s needs for existing ECAs and IMO 2020 requirements. This analyzer delivers compliance with ASTM D4294 and ISO 8754 methods and — with multi-element capabilities — can measure more than sulfur. Monitor for nickel (Ni), vanadium (V), and iron (Fe) content in bunker fuels or analyze fuels for zinc (Zn) to check for lube oil contamination.
Specifically designed for marine fuel applications, the Rigaku NEX QC MFA features an intuitive icon-driven touchscreen interface for easy operation and a built-in printer for convenience. The 50 kV X-ray tube and Peltier-cooled semiconductor detector deliver exceptional spectral resolution and throughput. The high voltage capability and multiple automated X-ray tube filters provide enhanced sensitivity and low limits of detection (LOD).
To determine traditional sulfur levels in bunker fuel, marine diesel, and other fuel oils, the NEX QC MFA offers compliance for ASTM D4294-10, ISO 20847, ISO 8754, IP 496, IP 336, and JIS K 2541-4. Meet MARPOL sulfur regulations and other international test methods with one instrument.
NEX XT — Total Sulfur Analysis for Bunker Fuel Blending
For on-line sulfur analysis, the advanced NEX XT total sulfur gauge for marine fuel blending is offered. With a sulfur detection range of 200 parts-per-million (ppm) to 6 wt%, the NEX XT process analyzer helps ensure MARPOL sulfur compliance.
NEX XT delivers on-line, real-time X-ray transmission (XRT) measurement of sulfur, meeting the needs of blending operations supplying marine bunker fuels. Featuring uniquely engineered hardware and novel proprietary software technologies, NEX XT is faster, more sensitive, and much more compact than previous generation systems. Rigaku NEX XT provides continuous bunker fuel monitoring of sulfur at pressures up to 1480 psi and up to 200°C in custom configurations. NEX XT operates as a standalone analyzer or provides real-time closed-loop control when tied into a blending or plant-wide automation system.
Meet MARPOL Sulfur Compliance and More
For complete sulfur analysis needs of refineries, pipelines, blending operations, bunkering terminals, and other storage facilities, the NEX XT process analyzer offers total sulfur measurement for crude, bunker fuel, fuel oils, and other highly viscous hydrocarbons, including residuums.
Unique Flow Cell Design Resists Buildup
Because the NEX XT utilizes a transmission technique and a unique flow cell design, coatings of paraffin or other deposits on the analysis windows do not affect the sulfur measurement (as the coatings are a negligible part of the total X-ray path).