Fuelcare Ltd have recently installed an innovative system for complete eradication of the ‘diesel bug’ on board imposing 81-metre mega yacht KIBO (Project 6497). Delivered by Abeking and Rasmussen earlier this month, luxury motor yacht KIBO now features a major step forward in the prevention of microbiological fuel contamination, also known as ‘the diesel bug’.
The world’s first Superyacht Biocide Injection System by Fuelcare installed on board Abeking and Rasmussen luxury yacht KIBO
As bunker fuel quality throughout the Mediterranean is worsening and no longer homogenous, changes to biodiesel and sulphur levels in modern bunker fuels are rapidly increasingly the likelihood of encountering this problem. Inconsistent housekeeping procedures and differing local storage practices only exaggerate this issue.
The diesel bug is the growth of bacteria & fungi in hydrocarbon fuels. When left unchecked (for as little as 2-3 weeks) it will cause filter blinding, fuel starvation, pump failure and tank corrosion. The diesel bug requires both water as a growth medium and hydrocarbons from bunkering fuel for energy.
Yachts with this problem don’t even realise what the issue is until it is too late – engines will often cut out mid-voyage. Clean up costs can amount to hundreds of thousand of euros, and missed chartering operations can see this cost double or triple.
Abeking Rasmussen superyacht KIBO (Project 6497)
Existing means of preventing the diesel bug (good housekeeping such as dewatering) are no longer viable on their own – the higher proportion of suspended water in biodiesel leads to microbial colonies (sludges & slimes on tank bottoms) forming at an alarming rate particularly in marine applications.
Filtration & separation cannot solve the problem on their own. Preventative fuel treatments are the only tried & trusted method of preventing the issue in the first place, and are the solution used throughout the world’s largest navies & shipping companies.
One such treatment from Fuelcare is KATHONTM FP 1.5. The product uses the latest CMIT/MIT microbial technology from DOW Chemical to both prevent and cure microbial problems in hydrocarbon fuels. When used as a preventative measure the product can be injected into fuel by an automated injection system such as that being installed on the 81 metre superyacht KIBO from Abeking & Rasmussen.
By dosing automatically, this preserves fuel quality irrespective of reinoculation of the diesel bug from bunkering fuel. The system injects additive when fuel is bunkered, with fuel pressure driving a turbine to inject a precise, consistent stream of biocide. The system requires no power and is ‘fit & forget’; used and approved by some of the world’s leading businesses and industries (North Sea oil platforms, mining companies etc.).
Benefits to Superyachts
The system removes microbial fuel quality issues completely. The need for repeated testing is minimised and reduces the time required by on board engineers in keeping fuel clean. Precision biocide injection ensures no additive wastage and reduced costs in the long term. All systems are ‘fit & forget’, often lasting up to 20 years without maintenance requirements.
Fuelcare
Fuelcare is a 25 year-old business dedicated to maintaining fuel quality & cleanliness. The business was formed by an ex-merchant navy engineer with over 40 years experience in fuel bunkering across the world. We provide a range of fuel treatments such as biocides & detergents as well as on site test kits, consultancy, sampling & testing for the diesel bug.
