Bunker diesel viscosity is dramatically reduced by electrorheological treatment

Abstract

Bunker diesel is an important fuel for heavy duty engines, such as navy ships. It is different from the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel which is used for highway system vehicles, which has high level sulfur. The Department of Defense (DOD) testified in September 2006 that its energy use represents about 1.2% of total U.S. energy use, of which marine diesel fuel accounts for 13%, that is, 16 million barrels of oil. The Navy spent $900 million for fuel for its ships and aircraft. For fossil-fueled Navy ships, reducing energy use can reduce fuel costs, increase cruising range, increasing its survivability by reducing emissions of hot exhaust gasses. If applied to a significant number of ships, an increase in cruising range might permit a reduction in Navy costs for fuel-related force structure and infrastructure. The flow rate of bunker diesel can be increased 30% by electric field treatment, that is, by reducing the viscosity at least 50%. This could lead to significant cost savings and increase cruising range.