Method for Treating Heavy Fuel Oil

Abstract

A method for on-ship processing of heavy oil which is to be utilized as fuel is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes providing the heavy oil for processing. The heavy oil is passed using a pump into a centrifuge with heating of the heavy oil, at least intermittently or permanently, to a separation temperature of more than 98° C. before the heavy oil reaches the centrifuge. An aqueous phase and a sludge phase are separated from a clean oil phase in the centrifuge.

1 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method for on-ship processing of heavy oil which is to be utilized as fuel, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing the heavy oil for processing;   b) passing the heavy oil using a pump into a centrifuge with heating of the heavy oil, at least intermittently or permanently, to a separation temperature of more than 98° C. before the heavy oil reaches the centrifuge; and   c) separating an aqueous phase and a sludge phase from a clean oil phase in the centrifuge.   
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein one condition for the intermittent heating of the heavy oil to the separation temperature of step b) is that a content of catalyst fines that is separable in a centrifugal field exceeds a first upper limit in the heavy oil and/or a second upper limit in clean oil running out of the centrifuge. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the heating is effected in a single step. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the heating is effected in at least two heating steps. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the heavy oil is passed in a first heating step through a first heating device wherein the heavy oil is heated to a first temperature T 1 , and wherein the heavy oil is then passed in a second heating step through a second heating device wherein the heavy oil is heated to a second temperature T 2  which is higher than the first temperature T 1  and which is the separation temperature. 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the heavy oil is passed into the centrifuge immediately after attainment of the separation temperature. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein thermal energy from clean oil running out of the centrifuge is utilized to heat the heavy oil. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein thermal energy from clean oil running out of the centrifuge is released in the first heating device to the heavy oil to heat the heavy oil to the first temperature T 1 . 
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the separation temperature is greater than 100° C. 
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein a feed output of the pump is adjustable. 
     
     
         23 . A method for on-ship processing of heavy oil which is to be utilized as fuel, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing the heavy oil for processing;   b) passing the heavy oil using a pump into a centrifuge with heating of the heavy oil to a separation temperature of more than 98° C. before the heavy oil reaches the centrifuge;   c) separating an aqueous phase and a sludge phase from a clean oil phase in the centrifuge;   d) determining a catalyst fines content in the heavy oil with a first sensor device;   e) determining the catalyst fines content in clean oil running out of the centrifuge with a second sensor device; and   f) using the catalyst fines content determined in step d) and/or in step e) as a process variable in a closed-loop control process for the separation temperature and/or a throughput of the pump.   
     
     
         24 . The method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the following are used as process variables in the closed-loop control process:
 current fuel consumption of an engine;   current fuel level in a clean oil tank; and/or   current service tank overflow rate.