FUELS & LUBRICANTS
MAN ES SERVICE LETTER CREATES PREMIUM LUBE TIER MAN Energy Solutions cancelled NOLs for 15-25 BN cylinder oils and introduced a higher category of cylinder oils in a far-reaching service letter A service letter published by MAN ES at the end of May is having ving farreaching implications for the e two-stroke marine lubrication market.. In SL2020-694 Cylinder and system oils MAN AN B&W low-speed two-stroke engines, MAN has as introduced a new cylinder oil strategy. A new category of higher er performing cylinder oils, Category II, is being introduced. roduced. Cat. II cylinder oils are recommended for MAN AN B&W Mark 9 engines and subsequent generations. s. A subordinate category of cylinder oil, Category I, includes lube oils covered by existing No Objection Letters (NOLs) and is applicable able for MAN B&W Mark 8 engines and earlier types. According to MAN ES, the he cylinder oil strategy has been introduced in order to stimulate the development and usage of higher performing ming cylinder oils for <0.50% S fuels. Such fuels are expected ted to remain the dominant fuel type over the coming years. ears. MAN ES’s service experience erience has identified the importance of maintaining cleanliness of the piston rings and crowns in achieving acceptable time between overhaul (TBO) of the cylinder der units. This is a particular focus for MAN ES’s most modern odern engines, which feature higher pressures and higher temperatures, placing higher performance demands upon n lubricants.
Cylinder oil guidelines The new service letter does not affect MAN ES’s existing cylinder oil guidelines, which the company plans to update later in 2020. The most recent cylinder oil guidelines, SL2019-671 Cylinder lubrication update for 0 to 0.50% sulphur fuels, remain in force. The focus is on monitoring the cylinder condition and ensure that the piston ring pack is clean and moving freely. In case of excessive depositing, use cylinder oil with a higher cleaning ability (Cat II / BN100). The alternation time period between high and low BN oils can range from a couple of days to over 300 running hours, as long as the crew make scavenge port inspections, monitor the condition closely and take action if the condition deteriorates. MAN ES stresses the importance of monitoring the cylinder condition. Drain oil samples should be taken, analysed and evaluated. Action should be taken if the analysis shows deterioration, by e.g. increasing iron content.
12 | JUNE 2020
WITHDRAWAL OF 15-25BN CYLINDER WITHDR OIL NOL Alongside the introduction of a new category for advanced cylind cylinder oils, MAN ES has withdrawn NOL approvals from the majority of low BN oils in the market, including some of the best-selling cylinder oils in lubricant suppliers’ portfolios. A few 1520 BN cylinder oils have retained their NOL status. by noting that many of MAN ES justified this decision d the low BN cylinder oils (15-25 BN) have not met the cleanliness requirements of the newest MAN B&W engines. While a number of 100 and 140 BN oils have successfully passed throug through the Cat. II process (see table below), no 40 BN Cat. II cylinder oils are currently available. cylin
8 Category II cylinder oils
Company
140BN
100BN
Castrol
Cyltech 140
Cyltech 100
Chevron
Taro Ultra 140
Taro Ultra 100
ExxonMobil
Mobilgard 5145
Mobilgard 5100
Gulf Oil Marine
Gulfsea Cylcare 50100S
JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy
Marine C1005
Lukoil
Navigo 140 MC
Navigo 100 MCL
Shell
Shell Alexia 140
Shell Alexia 100
Sinopec Total Lubmarine
Advice for Mark 9 and higher & new-builds For operators and owners of newbuild vessels and vessels with Mark 9 type engines, MAN ES suggests the use of a Cat. I 40BN and Cat. II 100BN with alternation (if necessary) or with the cylinder oil available as according to the recommendations in SL2019-671. If the cylinder condition is acceptable when using Cat. I 40 BN oil, there is no need for alternation with a Cat. II 100BN oil. However, if the Cat. I 40 BN oil lacks sufficient cleaning ability, a Cat. II 100 BN oil could facilitate the situation. 0.10% S fuel operation, what cylinder oil to use? MAN ES notes that a few low BN cylinder oils (15-25 BN) have retained their NOL approval. These can be used according to SL2019-671. Meanwhile, Cat. I 40 BN cylinder lubricants are available and will in many cases be used instead of 15-25 BN products. As with the advice for newbuilds, MAN ES advises monitoring the condition and in case of deposits, use oil with a higher cleaning ability.
Sinopec Marine Cylinder Oil 50100 Talusia HR 140
Talusia Universal 100
What should be done with 15-25 BN already on-board? MAN ES is not recommending the costly, time-consuming process of de-bunkering cylinder oil. The ROB lubricants can be used up before bunkering a new cylinder oil. MAN ES recommends that the guidance in SL2019-671 is followed when deciding upon cylinder oils. Where no issues have been identified, the lube oil can be used as previously. One option might be alternating between low and high BN cylinder oils. MAN ES recommends this for vessels operating within ECA areas on 0.10% S ULSFO continuously. This could also be an option for ME-GIs using <0.1% S ULSFO as pilot fuel. A third option would be to use Cat. II 100 BN oils. While Cat. II oils will provide the best cleaning performance, the higher Calcium Carbonate content may lead to increased deposits on the crown and after the combustion chamber. If used continuously, it is important to maintain observations for depositing.
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