The Boating Forum - Anyone running No.6 Bunker Sea ?

Anyone running No.6 Bunker Sea ?

Are you talking bunker C fuel oil? On a boat?

What the cruise ships use It's very thick ...

Must make you in the lead for bizarre question of the day :)

Do you mean does anyone deal with it in a professional capacity???

I'm familiar with bunker C. I'm a boiler operator and we used it in one of the plants I worked in. Thick is right. Like tar at room temperature. Has to be heated to about 170 degrees to flow, and we used the steam to atomize it. Never heard of anyone using it on a boat before. I would think all the plumbing, heaters and such would be too much of a hassle to be worth the BTUs it's worth over regular #2 diesel. Chris

What do you want to know?

I delivered fuel to ships in the Mississippi River for 10 years.

It's got to be super cheap (what does it cost ?)

I have a little diesel engine and wondered if I could use it (after heating )

It's got to be super cheap (what does it cost ?)

I have a little diesel engine and wondered if I could use it (after heating )

NO

it is slow-speed diesel fuel for ship engines and boilers

A diesel motor will not be able to burn Bunker C oil. It is literally like sludge.

Don't waste your time with it.

So I guess I will look into SVO ...proven technology :-)

Transformer oil

It's got to be super cheap (what does it cost ?)

I have a little diesel engine and wondered if I could use it (after heating )

It is very cheap - about the equivalent of $1.90/gal, but it is sold by the ton (about 360 gallons), with typically a 20 ton minimum (because they have to heat it to pump it).
You will need to heat it to 185 degrees or so to get it to flow like 10w motor oil, and at about 250 degrees it is thin enough to use in a low speed diesel engine. On a small engine it might work with low pressure injectors.

Oh don't listen to these nervous nellies! I say go for it! This is the spirit of invention this country used to have by the barrel ( no pun intended...).
If you can find anyone willing to deliver hot bunker to your dock, I say order up an entire tanks' worth and have a go!
With all of those nice, luscious BTU's per gallon, you'd be saving some serious money.

Let us know how you make out.

A lot easier to go natural gas, and it's cheaper at the moment plus you can fill up at home! Downside......5x tank size at 2400psi