Page 64: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 1997)

Marine Fuels, Lubricants & Additives Review

Shipowners and managers are continually squeezed to improve profitability and adhere to ever-tightening environmental legis- lation. Matters of propulsion efficiency and emissions are "A-

List" at most any strategy meeting. As a result, marine fuel, lubricant and additive suppliers have been tasked with develop- ing products and systems to meet these changing needs. The ensuing pages highlight recent developments of products and services from several key suppliers.

De-Bug Makes Additions To Fuel

Decontamination Series

De-Bug U.S.A. offers LG-X1000 and LG-

X1200, the latest models in the company's

Algae-X series of fuel decontamination units.

LG-X1000 is designed to service engines in the 300 to 1,000-hp range, and LG-X1200 for engines up to 1,200 hp.

Algae-X units feature the direct flow-thru and self cleaning design, which reportedly provides improved decontamination of the fuel supply without periodic maintenance to drain off accu- mulated water and sludge. Algae-X units are high-pressure molded with corrosion resistant

LM6 aluminum. Reported benefits of unit installation include: • Prevention of filter clogs and the need for tank cleaning; • Increased engine, injector and pump life; • Lower costs of maintenance and down- time; • Reduced smoke emissions; • Enhanced engine performance; and • Improved safety and reliability.

For more information

Circle 30 on Reader Service Card

Research Laboratories Offers

Microbial Testing

Fuels and petroleum analysis facility

Research Laboratories, Inc. offers microbial testing quantification fuel services. The facili- ty tests, collects and collates data pertinent to the proliferation of microbial growth in fuel storage situations.

Research Laboratories provides sample con- tainers, mailers and information forms for fuel users who want to test for microbial infesta- tion. Remedial steps are offered if contamina- tion is found. Printed matter and research con- cerning microbial growth in fuel, how it should be tested and what is available for combating its problems is also available from the facility.

For more information

Circle 26 on Reader Service Card

Environmental Chemicals & Lubricants

Unveils High Temperature Grease

Industrial lubricant manufacturer

Environmental Chemicals & Lubricants has unveiled Steel 1000 high temperature grease.

Formulated from high quality paraffinic base oils and inorganic base substances, Steel 1000 reportedly withstands extreme pressures and

Exxon And Shell Form Joint Venture

Exxon Chemical Company and both Shell

International Chemicals Limited and Shell

Chemical Company have announced a CEO nominee and key sites for the previously pro- posed worldwide petroleum additives joint venture. Anthony J. Gaskell, formerly Exxon

Chemical's vice president of Vistalon and

Adhesion Industry, has been designated to become president and CEO when the joint venture is launched. The new company is tar- geted to start up later this year, pending definitive agreements among the companies and receipt of appropriate governmental and regulatory approvals.

The new enterprise's world headquarters will be located in the U.K. to best position the joint venture to serve customers worldwide, with technical service, industry liaison and sales representation departments expected to continue operating in North America and

Asia Pacific to effectively support customers in these areas.

World-class research and development sites are planned for separate and independent portions of existing sites in the U.S. and U.K.

The U.S. location will be Exxon Chemical

Paramins Division's existing site in Linden,

NJ. Some Shell Chemical employees from

Shell's Westhollow Technology Center in

Houston, Texas, will relocate to this site when the proposed joint venture starts up.

In the U.K., the joint venture initially would use separate and independent portions of both the existing Paramins Research and

Development site at Abingdon, and Shell

Additives International Limited's Thornton

Research and Technology Centre in northwest

England. However, the intent for the future is to seek a single U.K. standalone site, while retaining critical technological expertise.

Choosing between the sites requires an overall technology information exchange and assessment which is not possible until govern- mental and regulatory approvals are received.

Petroleum additives include both lubricant and fuel additives. Lubricant additives are used primarily in lubrication of marine, auto- motive and heavy-duty diesel engines aiding in reduction of engine wear, dispersion of sludge and minimization of troublesome deposits. Fuel additives also improve the operation of gasoline and diesel engines.

For more information on Exxon

Circle 43 on Reader Service Card

For more information on Shell

Circle 44 on Reader Service Card 74 Maritime Reporter/Engineering New