DOT.FAST® Onboard Drip Oil Analyzer
Drip oil analysis made easy
The sulphur/base balance
High sulphur fuel oil burns to produce oxides of sulphur (SOx) during combustion. In the presence of water, these SOx form sulphuric acid which causes corrosion in the engine; different levels of sulphur in the fuel oil contribute to varying levels of acidity.
One function of the cylinder oil is to protect the engine from acidic corrosion. This is achieved by the alkalinity of the cylinder oil, defined by its base number (BN) and its feed rate.
Too much alkalinity however, will result in the formation of excessive abrasive deposits on the piston crown top lands, ultimately leading to increased liner wear and scuffing.
It is important to maintain the correct sulphur/base balance. This balance can be achieved by changing to a cylinder oil with an appropriate BN, by adjusting the cylinder oil feed rate or a combination of the two.
The total iron content measured by DOT.FAST® indicates the total corrosive and abrasive wear taking place in the engine, enabling you to make any necessary adjustments.
Onboard analysis helps you:
- Minimize consumption by optimizing cylinder oil feed rates
- Optimize management of fuel with varying quality
- Discover early indications of engine wear
- Minimize build-up of abrasive deposits
- Measure wear onboard with laboratory accuracy
- Maximizetime between overhauls
- Perform predictive maintenance and minimize downtime
- Minimize risk of scuffing
Onshore analysis helps you:
- Monitor effectiveness of fuel purification
- Identify system oil leakage
- Monitor piston and ring groove wear
- Identify blow-by
We immediately report our experts' recommendations back to your office and/or ship. You can also access historical data via the web.
Samples sent to Chevron's worldwide laboratories are fully analyzed (base number, iron and all other elements) and reports are reviewed by our technical experts.
The DOT.FAST Onboard Test Kit consists of the Drip Oil Analyzer, pipette and DOT.FAST Onboard Software. Everything you need for fast accurate testing can be ordered from your account manager, and the service can be extended for subsequent years as required.
New design vessel engines and the move to slow-steaming have lead to more corrosion-sensitive comubustion conditions, therefore it is more important than ever to balance conditions in your engine. Analysis of unburned cylinder oil which has passed through the combustion chamber and pistons and liners in the main engine is an effective way to monitor engine wear. Drip oil analysis can give you the answers.