RETURN

ME129

Pitting of Fuel Oil Purifier Main Cylinder

Technical committee
Pitting of the fuel oil purifier main cylinder
Ship type: Crude oil tanker (258,000MT)
Date of build: 1986
Type of purifier: Mitsubishi Selfjector SJ30T

1. Phenomenon

While the FO purifier was in operation, the leak detector tripped. An overhaul inspection was carried
out and pitting on the seat surface of main cylinder was observed of which several had penetrated in
radial direction.

2. Cause

Crevice corrosion

3. Repair

As temporary repair, penetrations were treated with stainless cladding by welding and operation was
restored.

4. Countermeasure

The cylinder was replaced with a new one when the vessel arrived at a Japanese port. According to the
maker, although this phenomenon is very rare, there were some cases reported in the past. It was
presumed that seawater in fuel had induced crevice corrosion.
Up to that time, overhaul inspection/cleaning of fuel oil purifiers had been implemented at every 6,000
hours, during which chemical washing had also been arbitrarily implemented. These were changed as
follows:
At every 6,000 hours Overhaul maintenance
At every 3,000 hours Inspection of seat surface
Upon entry of seawater, the unit should be overhauled on each one-way trip and the main cylinder seat
surface should be blown with steam.
In addition, chemical cleaning to be implemented as appropriate.

1
The Marine Engineer Feb.1990