Bunkering Procedures/ Fuel Quality Flashcards
Full bunker procedure
PRIOR TO BUNKERING
- All personal are aware
- No smoking signs
- SOPEP kit and extinguisher out
- Additional oil soaks at bunker station
- Inform bunker speed, 500l/min @ 4bar
- Check fuel specs
- B flag is up
- Day tanks topped up for maximum space in storage
- Tank levels prior to bunkering
- Fuel pumps and separator off
- All valve positions checked
- Hoses cable tied in place
- Fuel sample set up
- Inspect the line and coupling
- Establish comms
DURING
- Confirm start/ stop time
- 2nd to monitor at bunker station
- Monitor tanks and trim
- Two samples from supplier
COMPLETION
- Blow hose down
- Close valves
- Confirm quantity
- Sign and stamp samples
- Clean up and pack away gear
- Complete documents and receipts
- Complete ORB
- Complete vessel SMS
Testing of bunker lines and where to find the max intake speed and what factors determine it?
The design of the pipework, being its diameter and bends.
What to check on a bunker delivery note?
- Name and IMO Number of vessel
- Port
- Date of delivery
- Name, Address and Number of supplier
- Product name
- Quantity in metric tons
- Density at 15c
- Sulphur content
If the tanker says it can only pump 250l/min but you can only take 150l/min. Shall you take it?
No as the risk of error is too high and the consciences of spilling oil. I would then file a letter of protest
What are your responsibilities as C/E during bunkering?
- Supervise and oversee the 2nd engineer
- Control which tanks are filling while keeping the vessel trimmed
- Ensuring samples are being taken ship side
- Ready to go in the event of an emergency
- Completed all documentation and paperwork
What would you look for on the fuel analysis sheet?
- Fuel type
- Viscosity
- Sulphur content
- Flash point
- Density at 15c
- FAME
- Water
- Centaine index
How would you press a fuel tank?
Ask for the flow to be reduced to minimal, have the tank being pressed open while a second tank is also opened with space.
What is the maximum you would fill a tank?
Our company policy is 95% to remove any risk of spilling and overflow
How much water is acceptable in bunkered fuel?
DMA is zero but DMB can be upto 0.30%
How does a fuel gauge work?
Locally we have a sight gauge on the side of the tank to show how mush is stored with markings to relate.
Remotely we have Capacitance probes to measure the level of fuel in the tank. The probe consists of electrodes that extend into the tank and generate an electrical signal proportional to the fuel level. Measuring the change in capacitance caused by the presence of fuel, and this information is converted into a fuel level reading display.
How would you test the fuel level gauge?
By moving a know quantity into the tank and comparing the reading
How would you test for water?
This is tested when we send off our fuel sampled to VPS.
Onboard you can take a sample and test with a water sampling paste on a stick, if this changes colour it can be compared to the scale.
Might have a water sensing probe in the pipework or tanks.
How would you remove water?
Draining off the storage tank to the sludge tank and visually see water.
Using the fuel separator.
What other tests would you make on the fuel and why?
- Flash point as we cannot have anything under 60 degrees
- Viscosity to ensure it will operate efficiently with our engines
- Cetane number to ensure it will ignite
- Sulphur content due to our operating areas we need it to be 0.1%
- Visual for clear and bright to insure no water or dirt has been contaminated
How do we sound tanks?
- Collect sounding tape, Sounding paste, rag and bucket
- Remove cap and open the sounding pipe with foot lever
- Apply paste on area where the tank level roughly is
- Slowly lower until the bottom is reached
- Pull back up and take readings of the markings
- Clean sounding tape
- Remove foot from pedal and secure cap
