Navy Fuel Conversion

MarEng · Dec 7, 2006

Working air emission issues for a client (large oil company) and the topic of fuel conversions has come up. A proposal has been made to convert all merchant ships to distillate fuel (diesel) and prohibit the use of heavy oil (Bunker C, IFO). Despite all of the obvious complications - another oil company has attempted to submarine the entire idea by stating that it is unsafe to burn distillate in modern marine boilers at full load. Internally we can come up with nothing but some anecdotal stories about boiler explosions - but nobody has any real data to determine the actual cause. Our experience is entirely to the contrary - distillate fuel makes for clean combustion and happy boilers.

My question - does anybody have any direct experience with, or technical papers describing, the Navy's experience converting from Navy heavy fuel to JP-5 in the mid-70s?

SkyPup · Dec 7, 2006

I'd contact someone, a professor or engineer, from Purdue University in Lafyette , Indiana the home of the "BoilerMakers."

Also, a call to a professional international Boiler Corporation like Babcock & Wilcox would be advised.

The Babcock & Wilcox Company

Someone's internet opinions here would not be a good idea to rely on for something like that.

MarEng · Dec 7, 2006

Talking to Mitsubishi, the largest boiler maker for marine and power aps but they won't commit - even though they make distillate boilers. What I'm really looking for is documented experience from the Navy's conversion. They've done this and should somewhere have a list of the required modifications to burner tips, registers, instrumentation and control, etc. No sense reinventing the wheel if my tax dollars have already done it at least once.

SkyPup · Dec 7, 2006

I believe that Babcock and Wilcox, Combustion Engineering Corporation, Westinghouse, and GE have built the majority of the US Navy's boilers.

texbaylea · Dec 7, 2006

MarEng

Why don't you go to the U.S. Naval Institute and see if you can post your question on one of their forums. You may have to be a member however.

That is aplace where you are most likely to find some one with direct knowledge.

Vernon

midlf · Dec 8, 2006

You can also try an inquiry through your congressman or senators office.

gemini5362 · Dec 8, 2006

I might try the shipyard at Newport News, Virginia. They might not have the information you seek but would know who to talk to. I am sure they were involved in the physical conversion at some point.