Fuel Management

There is no doubt that if you run a business that consumes fuel you have been approached by those with many new products that claim to save fuel. I have seen and tried most of them, from fuel additives to magnets, and  catalyst injection. The thing is many of them work (and some do not), but in most applications any improvements are not noticeable by the operators and management due to the lack of measurement and monitoring tools.

We have the technology and tools available to measure, improve and control what is perhaps your largest yearly expense. You know approximately what your fuel expense is going to be at the end of the year. But, what if your fuel bill can be 10%, 20%, or possibly even 30% less?

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting up with an old friend, Bill Trudell. Bill and I worked together nearly twenty years ago at Chris Craft Boats. Bill specializes in Lean Six Sigma for factory production, improving quality, increasing speed, and reducing waste. Spending most of his career in marine product manufacturing, Bill is an expert in trimming fat and making companies lean and mean – profitable! Check out more at billtrudell@relentlessexcellence.com.

One of the terms in Lean Six Sigma is called the DMAIC Process which stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control. This is exactly what we do for fuel and oil consumption. First, the Define stage is where the problem or objective is clearly defined. Second, the Measure phase is to focus the improvement effort by gathering information and data on the current situation. Third, the Analyze phase is to identify the root cause by analyzing data collected and confirmed. Fourth, the Improve phase is to test and implement the available tools for improvement. And last, the Control phase is using the system controls and monitoring to maintain the improvement results.

When it comes to fuel and oil management we can show you where you are, where you can be, and how to get there. It’s your money, so send more of it to your bottom line, not the oil companies. I think they have enough.

Capt.Jeff

Hydrogen Supplement Fuel

Generally speaking, power driven vessels use a lot of fuel. Not only is fuel expensive the quality can also vary around the globe. As fuel is normally the largest operational overhead expense. any savings would go directly to the bottom line.

Efficiency in Engine Combustion Gasoline and Diesel engines are not highly efficient with much of the fuel left unburned simply exiting in the exhaust stream. Hydrogen has the highest combustion energy per pound relative to any other fuel, meaning it is more efficient on a weight basis than fuels currently used. When burned, hydrogen offers two to three times more energy than most other common fuels combining readily with oxygen releasing considerable energy as heat. Hydrogen gas is attached to fuel molecules in the combustion chamber by injection into the air intake stream of an engine.

Clean Burn Unlike carbon-based fuels, hydrogen produces no harmful by-products upon combustion. When a hydrogen molecule attaches itself to a fuel molecule it cause the fuel molecule to burn more completely. The result is less carbon deposits left from unburned fuel. With this more complete burn less exhaust emissions is released into the atmosphere.

End Result There are many benefits with the addition of hydrogen as fuel. Increased fuel efficiency, increased power, smoother running engines, and cleaner oil to name a few. One of most significant benefits is reduced exhaust emissions. As the EPA moves with stronger emissions standards there are thousands of engines still in service that will not be in compliance. Some of these standards are in place for 2010 and will be set at even a higher level in 2012. Without technologies like hydrogen many vessels will be faced expensive engine replacement to meet the new standards.

Capt. Jeff

The “Green Re-fit”

The word “Green” has many meanings. Throughout the years the marine industry the word “green” is best attached to “horn”, thus designating the new person on the boat as “greenhorn”. The “greenhorn” may find it difficult to fit in with the rest of the crew, to receive the proper guidance to learn the job correctly, and to have to determination to stay in a working environment that has little tolerance for non-performance and change. Only in the past few years has “green” taken on a new definition used as a verb to make something environmentally friendly or to become environmentally aware. Unfortunately, the new “green” is faced with the same challenges as the “greenhorn” coming aboard – resistance to change from materials and practices entrenched for years, willingness to manage new equipment, and the will to see the new program through.

Never before has there been so much technology available. New equipment and products improve the environmental impact of vessel operations, increase safety aboard, reduce risk liability, and increase profit margins. It is now possible to increase fuel efficiency while lowering emissions and stretch out oil change intervals with new lube oil systems. New technology in bilge water / oil separation eliminate any risk of oil discharge. Hydraulic oils and grease is now vegetable oil based with as high and in some products higher use and ware specifications that petroleum based oils. These new hydraulic oils reduce the liability of fines if spilled overboard and removes the risk of catch contamination. The list goes on with oil treatments, fuel additives and treatments, cleaners and degreasers, and copper free bottom paints.

A “Green Re-fit” is simply the combination of available environmentally safe technologies and improved vessel maintenance operations. The most important factor to the success of the “Green Re-Fit” is education. Without education the “Green Re-Fit” will run the course of the “greenhorn, simply discarded without the proper time spent to reap the rewards. Today’s fishermen and other vessel operators must be aware of all aspects of the environment and to be actively involved in finding solutions. They now have the ability to lead by example by doing there part at sea, which will afford them the right and respect to bring the fight ashore.

This is a quote from LOOK magazine dated 11-4-1969. (And we must clean up the mess we have already made. Industry and government together must restore our polluted air and water and our defiled landscape. The cost of a healthy environment must become part of the basic cost of doing business. We need not be discouraged. When threatened, man is capable of almost anything. Nothing less than our survival is at stake. The problem is getting enough people to realize this blunt truth while there is still time to act.)

There was no secret in 1969 that the environment was in danger. So, how far have we come in fifty years? Is now time to act collectively, reduce the fuel usage, reduce emissions, stop the overboard discharges – both at sea and ashore, and develop the education of sound environmental practices? You decide.

Capt. Jeff