Refiners test FOWE’s emulsion tech to clean dirty bunker fuel

New Delhi: Indian oil refineries have initiated tests of fuel emulsion systems from a Monaco-based company to clean highly polluting bunker fuel as they eye significant benefits, including substantial fuel cost savings and a reduction in environmental impact of the high carbon-emitting fuel used in ships.

Two state-owned oil firms deployed Fowe Eco Solutions’ (FOWE) patented Cavitech devices at their refinery and depot installations to check the result of emulsified fuel oil (bunker fuel), sources aware of the matter said. Trials showed substantial reduction in emissions and better fuel efficiency, they said, adding the refiners are now looking at tests for its commercial use.

Requiring very little initial investment and eliminating the need for installation downtime, the FOWE uses a process known as cavitation using its Cavitech device, which allows emulsification of fuel oil, also known as furnace oil, with fresh water. This process, which does not require any additives or further processing, can be carried on land or onboard a ship. The system enables stable and permanent emulsions to be produced without the use of additives. The 15 per cent water emulsion showed potential improvement in average fuel consumption of up to 6 per cent. The technology has been used in Europe and in large ships run on fuel oil. Monaco-based shipping company Scorpio Tankers last year signed an agreement to install FOWE fuel emulsion systems across its entire fleet of over 100 vessels. The Cavitech device allows each vessel to produce emulsified bunker oil on board. For Scorpio, the move is expected to result in an overall reduction of at least 3 per cent in fuel costs and 100,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. Sources said Indian refiners are hoping to replicate the results. Besides being used as fuel in ships, fuel oil is also an industrial fuel. Tests have seen a considerable reduction in particulate matter.

Emissions of NOx, the main greenhouse gas contributors, are significantly reduced and fuel efficiency is improved. The emulsified fuel using FOWE technology uses ordinary water and no chemicals and results in 8 to 10 per cent better heat recovery that leads to much lower consumption of the fuel.