ISO 8217:2017 Marine Fuel Standards Reference
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Reference guide for ISO 8217 2017 marine fuel standards
Marine Fuel Standards Reference
ISO 8217:2017 — Distillate & Bio-distillate Marine Fuels
The latest ISO 8217:2017 standard provides comprehensive specifications for marine distillate fuels, including both traditional and bio-distillate variants. These specifications ensure optimal engine performance and environmental compliance.
Understanding these specifications is crucial for marine engineers, fuel suppliers, and vessel operators to maintain proper fuel quality and prevent engine damage.
The standard introduces new parameters and limits that reflect the evolving nature of marine fuel technology and environmental regulations.
| Parameter | Unit | Limit | DMX | DMA | DFA | DMZ | DFZ | DMB | DFB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinematic Viscosity at 40 °C | mm²/s | max / min | 5.5 / 1.4 | 6.0 / 2.0 | 6.0 / 2.0 | 6.0 / 3.0 | 6.0 / 3.0 | 11.0 / 2.0 | 11.0 / 2.0 |
| Density at 15 °C | kg/m³ | max | — | 890.0 | 890.0 | 890.0 | 890.0 | 900.0 | 900.0 |
| Cetane Index | — | min | 45.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 35.0 | 35.0 |
| Sulfur Content | % m/m | max | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Flash Point | °C | min | 43.0 | 60.0 | |||||
| Hydrogen Sulfide | mg/kg | max | 2.0 | ||||||
| Acid Number | mg KOH/g | max | 0.5 | ||||||
| Oxidation Stability | g/m³ or h | max / min | 25 g/m³ (ISO 12205) or 8.0 h (EN 15751) | ||||||
| FAME Content | % v/v | max | — | — | 7.0 | — | 7.0 | — | 7.0 |
| Carbon Residue (10% distillation residue) | % m/m | max | 0.30 | - | |||||
| Carbon Residue | % m/m | max | - | 0.30 | |||||
| Cloud Point (Winter) | °C | max | -16 | - | - | ||||
| Cloud Point (Winter) | °C | max | -16 | - | |||||
| Pour Point (Winter) | °C | max | — | -6 | -6 | -6 | -6 | 0 | 0 |
| Pour Point (Summer) | °C | max | − | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Appearance | — | — | Clear & Bright | ||||||
| Water | % v/v | max | — | 0.30 | |||||
| Ash | % m/m | max | 0.010 | ||||||
| Lubricity | μm | max | 520 | 520 | 520 | 520 | 520 | 520 | 520 |
ISO 8217:2017 — Residual Marine Fuels
Residual marine fuels represent a significant portion of the marine fuel market, particularly for larger vessels and long-haul shipping operations. These fuels require careful handling and treatment before use.
The specifications outlined in ISO 8217:2017 ensure that residual fuels meet the necessary quality standards for safe and efficient vessel operation while complying with environmental regulations.
Regular testing and verification against these specifications help prevent fuel-related issues and ensure optimal engine performance.
| Parameter | Unit | Limit | RMA 10 | RMB 30 | RMD 80 | RME 180 | RMG 180 | RMG 380 | RMG 500 | RMG 700 | RMK 380 | RMK 500 | RMK 700 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinematic Viscosity at 50°C | mm²/s | max | 10.0 | 30.0 | 80.0 | 180.0 | 180.0 | 380.0 | 500.0 | 700.0 | 380.0 | 500.0 | 700.0 | |
| Density at 15°C | kg/m³ | max | 920.0 | 960.0 | 975.0 | 991.0 | 991.0 | 991.0 | 991.0 | 991.0 | 1010.0 | 1010.0 | 1010.0 | |
| Micro Carbon Residue | % m/m | max | 2.50 | 10.00 | 14.00 | 15.00 | 18.00 | 18.00 | 18.00 | 18.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | |
| Aluminium + Silicon | mg/kg | max | 25 | 40 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | |
| Sodium | mg/kg | max | 50 | 100 | 100 | 50 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
| Ash | % m/m | max | 0.040 | 0.070 | 0.070 | 0.070 | 0.100 | 0.100 | 0.100 | 0.100 | 0.150 | 0.150 | 0.150 | |
| Vanadium | mg/kg | max | 50 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 450 | 450 | 450 | |
| CCAI | - | max | 850 | 860 | 860 | 860 | 870 | 870 | 870 | 870 | 870 | 870 | 870 | |
| Water | % v/v | max | 0.30 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | |
| Pour Point (Summer) | °C | max | 6 | 6 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | |
| Pour Point (Winter) | °C | max | 0 | 0 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | |
| Flash Point | °C | min | 60.0 | |||||||||||
| Sulphur | % m/m | max | Statutory requirements | |||||||||||
| Total Sediment (aged) | % m/m | max | 0.10 | |||||||||||
| Acid Number | mg KOH/g | max | 2.5 | |||||||||||
| Hydrogen Sulphide | mg/kg | max | 2.0 | |||||||||||
| Used Lub Oil | mg/kg | - | Calcium > 30 and zinc >15 or Calcium > 30 and phosphorus > 15 | |||||||||||