Fuel systems

Question 1

What does RAS mean?

Answer 1

Replenishment at sea

Question 2

What are the methods of refuelling a ship?

Answer 2

1. RAS
2. Road bowser/tanker
3. Jetty storage tanks
4. Lighter barge
5. Fixed jetty pipeline

Question 3

What is the method of refuelling a ship at sea?

Answer 3

Replenishment at sea (RAS)

Question 4

Define a Displacement tank.

Answer 4

A fuel tank that contains some salt water. they act as fuel storage and ballast for ship stability. only ever filled to 90%

Question 5

Define a Non displaced tank

Answer 5

A fuel storage tank that only holds fuel (could be dirty fuel) never filled with water as a ballast. only ever filled to 95%

Question 6

Define a centrifuge

Answer 6

Separates water from oil/fuel a centrifuge can spin at over 5000rpm, this creates centrifugal force. Once the fuel is clean it is stored in a service tank for use.

Question 7

What are the 3 impurities fuel is tested for?

Answer 7

1. Water that contains sodium will encourage micro biological growth (MBG)
2. Dirt
3. Surfactants

Question 8

What are the reasons for testing and what do we look for?

Answer 8

1. Good quality (fuel is clear and bright)
2. Sodium (can cause corrosion)
3. Water (can encourage MBG)
4. MBG (A fungus found in most fuels. moisture and warmth encourage multiplication)
5. Dirt (will cause filters to become blocked)

Question 9

What are the names of the 4 fuel tests carried out?

Answer 9

1. Visual test
2. Water reaction test
3. Colour test
4. Diesel filtration test kit (DFTK)

Question 10

How should fuel appear in the visual test?

Answer 10

Clear and bright at all times.

Question 11

How is the water reaction test carried out?

Answer 11

A mixture of 80ml fuel and 20ml distilled water is left to settle. there must be no more than 2ml cloudy area ‘‘interface’’. This test is done before embarkation.

Question 12

What equipment do you use in the colour test?

What does a darker colour say about the fuel?

Answer 12

1. Lovibond colour comparator

2. Darker fuel is older.

Question 13

Describe the Diesel filtration test kit (DFTK)

Answer 13

It gives an indication of how fast filters will clog. 250ml of fuel must pass through a sample filter before pressure reaches 15psi.

Question 14

What is the purpose of a coalescer?

Answer 14

To separate water droplets from fuel (removes water droplets down to 10ppm)

Question 15

Where are the 2 places is MBG most likely to occur?

Answer 15

1. In the fuel tank

2. In the interface

Question 16

State the hazards of working with fuels.

Answer 16

1. Fire and explosion
2. Toxicity
3. Dermatitis
4. Pollution

Question 17

State the safe working practices that should be carried out when working with toxic fumes.

Answer 17

Cleaning and inspection ventilation must be maintained and warning pipes made. if fumes are unavoidable respirators must be worn and risk assessments are to be carried out.

Question 18

State the safe working practices to avoid developing dermatitis.

Answer 18

Gloves should be worn and barrier cream should be used in conjunction, to prevent skin contact with petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) products.

Question 19

State the safe working practices that should be carried out to avoid pollution.

Answer 19

Minor spill kits should always be ready to deploy when fuelling is taking place this can prevent fuel/oil spilling overboard.

Question 20

State the flow of fuel from tanker to the ships engines. (10 stages)

Answer 20

1. Tanker / RAS
2. Filling trunk
3. Manifold
4. Displaced tanks
5. Centrifuge
6. Un-displaced tanks
7. Fuel transfer pump
8. Service tank
9. Fuel boost pump
10. Fuel boost ring main