Best practices for ExxonMobil Premium HDME 50™ fuel

Introduction

ExxonMobil Premium HDME 50™, a heavy distillate marine fuel, is specially designed to help marine operators comply with the 0.10 per cent sulphur cap introduced in the ECA zones. ExxonMobil Premium HDME 50 fuel helps engineers to safely and efficiently operate their main and auxiliary engines and boilers. It has the performance benefits associated with both marine gas oil (MGO) and heavy fuel oil (HFO):

• A low sulphur content associated with MGO
• The higher flashpoint and lower volatility properties typically found in HFO

The properties of ExxonMobil Premium HDME 50 fuel allow marine operators to simultaneously:

• Comply with the ECA sulphur cap
• Reduce the risk of engine and boiler damage

Storage

ExxonMobil Premium HDME 50 fuel should always be stored in a heated tank. Prior to transfer, it should be heated to enable pumping. ExxonMobil Premium HDME 50 fuel will have a cleaning effect on the storage tank, and is likely to carry any existing fuel oil residues/sludge that are present in the tank, having built up over time. These residues may be picked up in filters further down the fuel treatment process. This is more likely during the initial use of ExxonMobil Premium HDME 50 fuel.

Treatment

ExxonMobil Premium HDME 50 fuel should be processed in a similar way to an HFO; it should be purified prior to use in main and auxiliary engines. Operators should check that their purifiers are correctly set up for the viscosity of this new fuel.

Care should be taken when commingling ExxonMobil Premium HDME 50 fuel with HFO to avoid any issues that may occur due to the cleaning effect on any residues in the settling and service tanks. These residues may carry through and be picked up in the fuel filters.

Combustion

The fuel should be heated to the appropriate temperature to achieve the correct injection viscosity according to the engine builder guidelines.

Engine lubrication

Operators should follow their OEM-recommended guidelines for the appropriate lubricants to be used with their engines.