This is a legacy page. Please click here to view the latest version.
Tue 29 May 2018, 15:35 GMT

Houston marine fuel contamination: VPS reveals exclusive findings


In-house test finds phenolic compounds in every sample taken from ships encountering problems.


Image: Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS)
By Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS)

On April 26, 2018, Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) issued a Bunker Alert informing our clients of multiple vessels impacted by a sticking of fuel plungers, fuel-pump seizures and failures, when burning fuel oil bunkered in Houston, Texas.

At that time, it was known to be a widespread problem that was not limited to any particular supplier or barge, but more a potential upstream production, or refinery issue, with the 'true' cause unknown at that time.

Since the initial VPS Bunker Alert, this problem has grown to have affected at least 30 vessels in the VPS Fuel Analysis Programme, making it one of the most widespread fuel quality issues of recent years, with our statistics currently showing eight suppliers and 17 bunker tankers in the chain of supply.

Over the past four weeks, a VPS 'task-force' stationed across our laboratories have undertaken detailed forensic analysis of the many samples we have received from numerous vessels. It was critical that we were able to identify which components were common to all of the fuel samples and have the physical properties which could cause the problems experienced on board our clients' vessels.

The standard test methods within the ISO 8217 specification gave no clues to the underlying problem. Therefore, it was necessary to utilize additional VPS proprietary test methods in order to identify the true cause of the problem.

Applying our 'in-house' acid extraction GCMS method, phenolic compounds were identified as being present in every one of the samples taken from vessels experiencing problems. The phenolic compound of highest concentration in all samples was:

4-Cumyl-Phenol (CAS No. 599-64-4), full name Phenol, 4-(1-methly-1-phenylethyl) in the concentration range of 300ppm to 1,000ppm.

In some samples, VPS also identified high-boiling carboxylic acids (fatty acids), but these were present at much lower levels.

4-Cumyl-Phenol has many industrial uses, including the manufacture of epoxy resins and as an emulsifier in pesticides - both of which utilise the adhesive (sticky) qualities 4-cumyl-phenol exhibits.

Historical cross-checking of the VPS database has highlighted numerous cases dating back to 2007, where VPS has identified fuels containing phenolic compounds which have caused damage to fuel pumps and injectors similar to those witnessed in this recent contamination problem. In addition, cases also showed increased sediment levels at separators and filters, and in some cases completely clogged filters.

The presence of this contaminant is in violation of Clause 5 of ISO 8217 which states: "The fuel should not include any added substance or chemical waste which jeopardizes the safety or adversely affects the performance of the machinery; or is harmful to personnel; or contributes overall to additional air pollution."


Bebeka Logo. Bebeka seeks bunker trader for Groningen office  

Shipping cooperative advertises role supporting global fuel supply and energy transition.

Ahti Climate and ScanOcean logo side by side. ScanOcean launches biofuel pooling solution with Ahti Climate  

Bunker supplier targets FuelEU Maritime compliance with pool-in-pool arrangement for shipowners.

Everllence’s 21/31DF-M engine render. Everllence confirms ethanol operation on 21/31 four-stroke engine  

Engine builder says tests in Denmark validated fuel flexibility of methanol-capable platform.

COP24 Cairo, Egypt logo. Mediterranean states adopt roadmap for low-carbon shipping transition  

REMPEC welcomes decisions on emissions control areas and offshore pollution monitoring.

Control Union Spain Sustainable Bioenergy Standard (SBS) certified logo. Molgas secures bioenergy certification for biogas and biomethane  

Spanish energy company claims certification enables full supply chain traceability for customers.

Monjasa logo. Monjasa seeks supply bunker trader for Singapore operations  

Danish bunker supplier expands trading team in Asia's largest bunkering hub.

Jose Miguel Bermudez, bound4blue. Bound4blue secures $44m funding to scale suction sail production  

Wind propulsion specialist raises capital from maritime and climate investors to industrialise manufacturing capacity.

<i>Maya Cosulich</i> vessel. Landmark methanol-powered bunkering vessel departs shipyard  

World's first methanol-powered IMO II chemical bunker tanker begins operations after completion of construction phase.

Paul Pappaceno, Monjasa. Monjasa mourns death of senior trader Paul Pappaceno  

Marine fuel supplier to hold celebration of life for 39-year industry veteran.

<i>One Synergy</i> vessel. Imabari delivers 13,900-teu container ship with future-fuel readiness  

Japanese shipbuilder hands over One Synergy with methanol and ammonia conversion designs approved.


↑  Back to Top