NYK develops additive for low-sulphur diesel

By blending this additive into low-sulphur marine gas oils, mechanical troubles in fuel-oil systems, which can result from use of low-sulphur marine gas oils, can be prevented. As part of the toughening of regulations on air-quality conservation, the European Union (EU) implemented a new regulation limiting to 0.1% the sulphur content of low-sulphur fuel oils used within its respective regulatory area from 1 January, 2010. Moreover, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will begin enforcement of its regulation in January 2012.

Low-sulphur marine gas oils are expected to have less impact on the environment because they result in fewer SOx emissions. However, these oils lack sufficient lubricity, and could result in problems, including abnormal friction and operational defects, to crucial parts of engines, such as fuel-supply pumps and fuel-injection pumps. The NYK Group has therefore developed an additive to improve the lubricity of low-sulphur marine gas oils to ensure safe vessel operations as well as to preserve the environment.

Blending Yunic 700LS into low-sulphur, low-lubricity marine gas oils was confirmed through an HFRR (high frequency reciprocating rig) test as well as actual machine tests conducted by fuel-pump makers, to improve lubricity by about 30%. In fact, while using the additive in trials on NYK vessels since January, no problems attributable to low lubricity have been reported.