Westward Seafoods stabilizing diesel fish oil mixture with XBEE enzymes

Westward Seafoods is a major fishing company in Alaska. It has a fleet of trawlers, a fish processing plant, and cold storage facilities. In order to improve its operations, the company tested the XBEE diesel fuel tank cleaner in mid-2000.

Their powerhouse operates three Wärtsilä generators that burn a blend of #2 diesel and kerosene. Alaska does not have any refineries capable of hydro-treating diesel and therefore cannot make a fuel low enough in sulphur to meet EPA regulations. The local fuel wholesaler blends their fuel 55% K-1 and 45% #2 to achieve a comparable sulphur level to CARB type fuels.

They also maintain a steam boiler plant for canning and sterilization. They burn waste lube oils as well as the fish oil recovered during processing.

PROBLEMS WITH FUEL

Westward’s primary diesel fuel tank is exposed to weather, but their genera- tor day tanks are indoors, and kept next to the fish oil tank. The fish oil is kept hot to prevent gelling, and the radiant heat keeps the diesel tank warm. The change in temperature and humidity creates condensation in the tanks, and bacteria thrived. Their plant engineers have specified the use of biocides to control growth, and they have used BioBor brand for many years. Biocides are injected by pulse pump directly into the day tank.

Maintenance of the filter system for the fish oil was severe, forcing cleanups of their basket strainers up to 13 times per day. Sludge buildup and excessive soot buildup limited the amount of the fish oil they could burn, creating large stockpiles of the waste oil.

Additionally, the fuel oil blend for the generators was limiting output due to high engine temperatures and lower BTU availability. Emissions were considered acceptable; with only a light haze out- side the plant exhaust stacks. Carbon deposits in the combustion chamber were typically 1 mm to 2 mm, and although considered acceptable, required as long a week to wire brush clean during routine engine maintenance.

DIESEL FUEL TANK CLEANER – APPLICATION TIME LINE

 June 2000

Mr. Lloyd Williams, Westward’s chief engineer initially tested XBEE in a laboratory, (CT&E Environmental Services) and noted minor changes in sulphur and moisture, but with no apparent ill effects on viscosity or inorganic contaminants. Tests were made in diesel, crankcase oil, and fish oil.

August 2000

Mr. Williams added the Enzyme Fuel Technology via their old biocide pumping system in a double-dose to their 10,500-litre daily tank. The plant burns approximately 26,000 litres per day.

  • At 24 hours, the light haze from the exhaust stack had disappeared.
  • At 72 hours, NOx had dropped from 1,175 ppm to 1,150 ppm and stack temperatures had dropped by 10 degrees Centigrade.

December 2000

After four months using XBEE diesel fuel tank cleaner, during a routine, 12,000-hour maintenance service, the combustion chamber and exhaust valves were examined and were found to have only a light

dust-like coating of soot rather than the typical 1mm to 2 mm buildup of hardened carbon deposits. Clean up was done by wiping with a rag, and was done in one night, saving the mechanics five working days.

January 2001

Engine efficiency is now holding a steady 9% to 12% improvement. In addition, a 5% mix of fish has been added to the fuel, increasing their savings. Additionally, a bad load of fuel with between one and two feet of bacteria and sludge was delivered, and XBEE had re-mediated it completely within 36 hours. Their centrifuge remains spotless, without any of the residue associated with using Bio Bor.

February 2001

A follow up emissions test is run and NOx is now reduced over 10%, from 1,175 ppm to 1,040 ppm. Carbon Monoxide is down 90% from 104 ppm to 11 ppm and the stack temperature is now down 10%, from 768 degrees F. to 688 degrees F.

Diesel fuel tank cleaner - Westward-Seafood-wartsilas

One year after going on XBEE the local oil company allows them to bulk treat their entire fuel supply. With several weeks of residency as opposed to just a few hours, XBEE increases output from 2,000 kW to a record high output of 2,150 kW (100% rated) with occa- sional peaks as high as 2,350 kW.

I just wanted to give you a quick update on our use of [XBEE]. As you may recall, we have 3 Wartsila 6R82 gensets, and have been using [XBEE] for about 3 years. Some of the things we have noticed are:

  1. We have not replaced our exhaust valves for 50,000 hours (we used to replace them every 12,000 to 15,000 hours).
  2. There is no wear on the valve guides, also at 50,000 hours. (we used to replace the exhaust valves).
  3. Injection pumps (plungers) have not been replaced in 56,000 hours. (we used to replace around 10,000 to 12,000 hours).
  4. The fuel system is kept remarkably clean (centrifuges, filters, etc.). We have doubled the life of the fuel filters.
  5. We are averaging 14.9 KWH per gallon, an increase of 6%.
  6. Overall, we would continue to use your product even if we didn’t get the 6% increase in efficiency because of the savings on the related equipment.
Lloyd WilliamsChief Engineer

Westward Seafoods

Alaska, USA