H2S Testing for Bunker Fuels

Hydrogen sulfide analysis of marine bunker fuels.

Intertek laboratories test marine bunker fuel and refinery oil feedstocks for H2S content on a global basis, using Seta H2S Analysers and test method IP-570 (ASTM D-7621), providing important fuel hydrogen sulfide data for safer storage and transportion.

A 2 parts-per-million (2 ppm) limit for H2S in bunkers took effect in July, 2012 under ISO-8217:2010. The IP-570 test method is the only test method allowed in ISO-8217 for determination of H2S in fuel oil.

Testing for H2S content in residual fuel oils using IP-570 provides an enhanced ability to predict the potential release of dangerous H2S gas. The test data gained can allow for more accurate control of H2S by treating the cargo with H2S scavenger chemical additives, benefiting refineries, fuel blenders, storage terminals, and marine bunker fuel suppliers.

Hydrogen sulfide in marine fuel oil can pose a serious hazard to employee safety and operational infrastructure, forming dangerous, corrosive, and potentially lethal concentrations in the headspace areas of storage tanks and bunker fuel cargo.

Measuring hydrogen sulfide content in residual bunker fuel oil helps determine the potential a bunker fuel has for causing serious corrosion to ship engines and on-board fuel storage systems, problems which can lead to costly repairs and ship engine breakdowns. Hydrogen sulfide in bunker fuel also poses a corrosion and safety hazard to refiners, blenders, land-based bulk fuel storage tanks, and fuel pipelines.

H2S testing and treatment expertise:

• Hydrogen Sulfide Management (H2S)
• Cargo Additive Treatment
• ISO 8217 Bunker Fuel Testing
• Petroleum Cargo Inspection
• Hydrogen Sulphide – Creating a Stink for Vessel Owners and Operators?

Measuring for H2S concentration is crucial, as marine bunker fuel cargo may produce dangerous levels of H2S in the vapor space during transportation. H2S gas can evolve from stored bunker fuel from a number of factors, including higher storage temperatures, agitated movement, biological and chemical decomposition, and extended storage time.

Intertek performs IP-570 (ASTM D-7621) testing for fuel oil clients throughout the fuel refining and distribution supply-chain, and across the world. If action is suggested for reducing the H2S content of a cargo, Intertek works on a global basis to provide effective chemical additive treatment of H2S in fuels.