Page 82: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2017)

TECH TALK:

Photo: Royal Dawn

Photo: Power Fuel Savers

Photo: Sacred SeaTuna

Fitch Fuel Catalyst

Making Engines More Ef? cient

Fuel quality is a perpetual focus of the commercial

Brent Bixler of Royal Dawn considers himself an early pioneer to evaluate the Fitch Fuel Catalyst in maritime sector, as not only is it the major operating the mid-90’s when he bought a unit for a Cummins expense, the quality of fuel greatly affects performance

KTA1150 main engine and another smaller unit for a and lifespan of major mechanical systems onboard.

Caterpillar 3304 generator engine.

More complete combustion means less fuel needed, as well as reduced maintenance and unscheduled down- time, cleaner injectors, cleaner piston crowns and cleaner ? ring tubes. The Fitch Fuel Catalyst is designed to reverse the natural aging process of fuel by induc- grounds, I was provided the ideal environment to track ing a chemical reaction using a patented metal alloy fuel consumption operating at normal running speed,” catalyst (not a liquid additive) that reforms diesel fuel, he said in written response to our questions. “Using a reportedly creating a more combustible, cleaner burn- FloScan metering system, I was able to compare fuel ing product. consumption without Fitch and retro? tted with Fitch

The Fitch technology is designed to reverse oxidiza- during these lengthy trips. At an AAFA (American tion and promote oxygenation of all carbon-based fuels. Albacore Fishing Association) meeting just recently,

Oxidization begins the day a fuel is created and contin- I expressed to the Association that I saved 12% after ues until the time it is combusted. Oxidization causes retro? tting my engines with Fitch almost 15 years ago.” the fuel quality to deteriorate, reducing the amount of Being the Fitch units purchased in the mid 90s were energy that can be produced and greater pollution and past their life expectancy, Bixler recently purchased residue. Oxygenation takes place at combustion. By smoke and ? lter clogging problems, and was looking three new heavy-duty Fitch catalyst canisters for the adding oxygen to the combustion process more energy for a means to improve fuel economy, too. After install- Royal Dawn. In addition, he bought an auto kit for his is created meaning less fuel is needed to do the same ing the Fitch Fuel Catalyst “I’ve seen a noticeable im- Dodge RAM 2500 diesel pickup with a Cummins 5.9 work. provement in exhaust and engine responsiveness. The liter engine with the expectations of quieting down the

The 305 ft. ? sh processing vessel Golden Alaska, most impressive aspect of improvement though is how truck and picking up a bit more mpg. which ? rst started using Fitch in 2014, closely monitors clean the top end of my engine is. When my mechanic its fuel consumption at all times and reports an increase pulled the valve cover he was so impressed he started

Fitch Fuel Catalyst in fuel ef? ciency of 8.51 percent when using Fitch Fuel taking pictures. He said, ‘This is the way a new engine

Catalyst to treat fuel. In addition, “There has been a looks when I pour oil over the rockers before it’s ? rst

The Fitch Fuel Catalyst is designed to save operators clear reduction in smoke and a signi? cant reduction in started up.’” money. Here’s how: carbon build up which translates into reduced engine The clean engine is one thing, the fuel savings an- •Reformulates the fuel to extract more energy/gallon maintenance and unscheduled downtime,” said Mark other. “It’s hard to say (what our exact fuel savings is)

Purdue, Chief Engineer, Golden Alaska Seafoods, LLC. since we don’t have a fuel consumption meter but just •Reduces fuel consumption by 5 to 10% looking at hours run vs gallons I’d have to say (we’ve

Case Study: saved) around 10-13 percent since we’ve gone from •Pays for itself in ? ve working months, lasts for years

Sacred SeaTuna about 75 gallons per hour to about 65 gallons per hour.”

According to Captain Rick Goche, Sacred SeaTuna is •Helps to reduce emissions, maintenance costs and a family owned business, ? shing the F/V Peso II out of Case Study: unscheduled downtime

Charleston, Ore. “We ? sh tuna and salmon (when they Royal Dawn let us) and all of our products are sold under our fam- Brent Bixler of Royal Dawn considers himself an •Easy to install, maintenance free ily label Sacred Sea Tuna,” said Captain Goche. “We early pioneer to evaluate the Fitch Fuel Catalyst in normally ? sh from June 15 till the end of October. We the mid-90s when he bought a unit for a Cummins •Approved by LR and ABS provision for 14 days and hope we are full before then. KTA1150 main engine and another smaller unit for a

Annually we use 4,000 to 5,000 gallons of fuel.” Caterpillar 3304 generator engine. “Fishing the South •Installed on more than 500 commercial vessels

According to Captain Goche, since he was having Paci? c, traveling for 30 day clips to reach the ? shing 8 82 82 2 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • AUGUST 2017Maritime Rep porter & Engi g neering g News • AUGUST 2017

MR #8 (82-89).indd 82 MR #8 (82-89).indd 82 8/7/2017 4:42:57 PM8/7/2017 4:42:57 PM