The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) recently published a report titled “Tracking the Propensity of Biofuels Degradation Across the Maritime Supply Chain.” The report focuses on monitoring the quality of FAME and FAME blends as they move through the supply chain and are used on ships.
FAME-based biofuels can undergo degradation due to the oxidation of their natural oils and fats when exposed to atmospheric oxygen. This degradation can lead to the formation of by-products such as peroxides, alcohols, and sludge, which can have negative effects on engine performance and lifespan. Factors like exposure to water, impurities, contaminants, light, and heat can further accelerate the degradation process.
The GCMD conducted end-to-end supply chain trials and found no significant degradation of FAME under typical commercial operating conditions. These results align with previous laboratory studies, emphasizing the importance of environmental conditions during testing.
For example, a study by Olderndoff Carriers subjected FAME to extreme conditions, including exposure to 5% water without antioxidants at different temperatures. While this study demonstrated degradation under these conditions, commercial bunkering operations adhere to ISO 8217 standards, which limit water content to 0.5%v/v, making the 5% water exposure scenario unlikely in practice.
During the GCMD trial, samples collected at various points confirmed that the water content in FAME remained below the ISO 8217 threshold. In collaboration with partners, GCMD has initiated a pilot project to explore the long-term effects of biofuel usage on engines and fuel systems. This pilot will focus on engine performance to provide further insights into maximizing the benefits of biofuels.
The report was co-authored by Dr. Prapisala Thepsithar, Director of Projects, and Dr. Sanjay C Kuttan, Chief Strategy Officer at GCMD. It underwent review by Dr. Malcolm Cooper, CEO of VPS, Captain Rahul Choudhuri, President of Strategic Partnerships at VPS, and Ms. Monique Vermeire, Fuels Technologist at Chevron.
The findings from the GCMD report underscore the importance of monitoring biofuel degradation across the maritime supply chain to ensure optimal performance and environmental sustainability. By conducting comprehensive trials and studies, researchers can enhance understanding and promote the effective use of biofuels in the maritime industry.