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Fuel System

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Problems With Todays Fuels
Fuel Polishing
Plumbing and Manifold
Fuel Tankage
Tank Tender
Algae-X System





 
Problems with Today's Fuel:

A.  
Low sulfur fuel has some serious draw backs.  They are:
Hydrotreating (removing sulfur) changes some of the aromatic compounds contained in diesel to saturated compounds.  The removal of poly aromatics (Nitrogen and Sulfur) reduces the proper boundary lubrication between the loaded moving parts in the fuel injection system causing premature wear
Reduced aromatic content will cause the rubber parts (seals, O-rings, etc.) to shrink causing the fuel injector pump to leak into the engine
There is a reduced level of oxidrive resistance  (rust inhibitor).  This causes more wear on the metal parts
With the above issues unmediated, it will take approximately 20 to `100 hours of operation to generate a real problem on your fuel injection system
Courtesy of Merle Cook, Waterway Marine Services, Annapolis

Therefore, lubricity, rust inhibitors and just recently, cetane additives are now an important part of any new diesel engine regimen, especially turbo driven motors.

Two products were recommended at the Yanmar Diesel Mechanics School as additives to improve fuel quality.  They are:
Fuel Power Plus Lubricity by FPPF
Fuel Power 8+ by FPPF
Both products are available through Yanmar.  (See web page Yanmar 125 HP for ordering details)

B.  When at Foreign Ports and we suspect the quality of the fuel, we first take a sample and let it sit for several hours to see if there is any precipitate and observe the clarity of the fuel (Old fuel is dark and muddy looking).  If that is successful, we then fill up using our Baja Filter (Model 6.5 Inch Diameter 547729; $225).  Using this approach we have not had any problems with the fuel we have taken on.  (Another step we have seen done in Greece was to get a sealed sample of the fuel.  THis protects the vendor as well as providing verification that the fuel delivered was good.)

C. We have now been using Soltron in lieu of Biobor.  From our reading, this might be a better alternative than Biobor.  It is very expensive in relative comparison.  We have not seen any problems with our fuel or tanks since using Soltron, but then again, our tanks are new.  We will continue using this product in our voyages in the South Pacific. It will be interesting to see if we are still happy with the product at that point in time, especially given the problems we had with our fuel on Leg 1 while using Biobor.


 



Fuel Polishing System:


The fuel polishing system was installed at the Queen Long factory and they have a good handle on making a clean installation that is properly integrated into the fuel manifold system.  The system is composed of the following components:
Racor Fuel Filter
Algae-X
Fuel Diverter
Additional hoses for plumbing and brass fuel Y valve




Racor: Dual FG 500 Fuel Filters
800 344-3286
Note:  This is the third unit (in 2 years) we have installed.  Racor has replaced the previous 2 defective units under warranty.  For this we are grateful but at the same time it has been an inconvenience.  We have asked Racor to identify the cause of the problem and they have said that they are unable to do so.  We hope the third unit will last a bit longer.
Racor Warranty Dept.
 (Rick - Previous RMA# 5443; Ext. 7441)
3400 Finch Road
Modesto, CA 95353


Water Detection Systems
Primary
Racor Fuel Filter, RK 21069 Water Detector Kit, Racor  800 344-3286 (with alarm)
Secondary
Yanmar Engine Fuel Filter Water Detector Sensor; 4JH3-DTE Part #  129574-55730; 800 622 5364 X220 (with alarm)


Fuel Pumps
Walbro
Carter:  43GPH; P4603HD (Spare included)

Component
Info / Details /Picture
Racor dual fuel filter system with vacuum gauge mounted on companion way door for easy access and maintenance.  

Algae-X algae magnetic killer

High capacity fuel pump bypass valve for fuel purification system





 





Plumbing and Manifold:
The 5 fuel tanks on Dakare are controlled through a 3 bank manifold system.  The upper bank controls the flow of fuel to the Genset while the second bank controls the flow of fuel to the Yanmar. The third bank controls the returns lines to the tanks from either the Genset or the Yanmar.  One has total flexibility to route fuel as needed from any tank and to transfer fuel from one tank to another.  The manifold system is used in conjunction with the fuel purification system (including the Racor, fuel pump and Algae-X system) to clean the fuel in each tank.  The plaque above the manifold identifies  the function of each valve.







 





Fuel Tanks:


Tanks fabricated from 316 Stainless Steel and routed through a brass manifold.

      

Fuel tanks: 5 units  (66 + 69 + 69 + 38 + 49), 291 gallons total.



 




Tank Tender

Dakare has the 10 Tank Tender monitoring system which allows us to use the same monitoring device for both our fresh water system and our diesel fuel system.  Each tank has its own level monitor so their is no chance of cross contamination.


 





Algae-X System:

Model  LG-500  (Matched in Size to the Racor Filtering System and to the Maximum requirements of fuel flow for the Yanmar 125HP engine)


The Algae-X system uses magnetic fuel conditioning technology to:

Prevent clogged filters
Maintain optimal fuel quality
Extend life of engines
Eliminate costly toxic chemicals
Zero Maintenance
Lifetime warranty
Test Report that Shows the addition
Test Report Claims an ALGAE-X MFC unit provided a:
13.2% reduction in Hydrocarbon emissions
11.3% reduction in CO emissions
10.8% reduction in NOx emissions
64.7% reduction in particulate emissions
6.4% reduction in fuel consumption
See:http://www.diesel-fuels.com/pdf/lgx-test.pdf



Schematic of Dakare's Setup


The following explanation was taken from: http://www.diesel-fuels.com/algae-x/theory.html


Magnetic Fluid Conditioners -- Theory of Operation
The operation of a Magnetic Fluid Conditioner appears to some as magic, to others as hocus-pocus! The following are two explanations of how magnetic induction changes the characteristics of Diesel Fuel making it more of an efficient fuel and cleansing it from microbial contamination which causes fuel deterioration and debris which clogs filters and compromises performance.
In 1989 the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Hans Dehmelt of the University of Washington in Seattle for his work on the fundamental properties of electrons. The Nobel Prize was a result of 40 years of research into the basic properties of electrons.
The electron has only four known characteristics: mass, charge, spin and magnetism. And over the preceding years, mass and charge had already been measured to high levels of accuracy, but the electron's spin and magnetism were another story. To speak of the "spin" of something that is defined as a fuzzy bit of electron charge without definite size or shape may seem a bit odd, since there is nothing in the ordinary sense of the word to spin. Physicists use the term because of an electron's ability to store up energy within itself as similar to the way a flywheel stores up energy.
The spinning analogy leads us to the electron's magnetism. For example, if an un-magnetized iron rod is placed into rotation about its cylindrical axis, (turned like an axle rather than lengthwise as a fan), the rod will become magnetized. This is known as the Barnett effect. Also, an electron by virtue of its mass, charge and spin is also a magnet. If electrons are provided with the precise amount of magnetic energy the spinning electron will absorb that energy and flip into alignment.
The exact amount of energy required to produce a "spin-flip" is determined by the g-factor, known as the gyro-magnetic ratio discovered by Paul Dirac in 1928. Dirac noticed in his experiment whole atoms absorbing and releasing energy as the electrons undergo spin flips.
We should bear in mind that all materials experience magnetic effects. It is merely a question of degree of influence. All the known elements in the periodic hart fall into two categories - paramagnetic or diamagnetic. With paramagnetic materials, the flux draws the materials into the areas of stronger flux. Ferromagnetics are a special sub class of paramagnetics, since its (iron/magnet) attraction is extraordinarily strong. What we see on a daily basis is ferromagnetic interaction. Just because we don't see strong attractive forces with other materials doesn't mean that there is no effect. In many cases the term non-magnetic actually means non-ferromagnetic. Diamagnetic materials, on the other hand, are materials that are driven into the weaker areas of magnetic flux.
Most materials possess paired electrons. However, some materials (for example iron) have unpaired electrons. It is the action of spin of the unpaired electron that gives rise to the effect we call magnetism. It is simply the unpaired electron spin of the electron that gives rise to its magnetic moments and related field.
Hydrogen, for example, in its para or other spin form, can either be paramagnetic or diamagnetic depending on the spin orientation. Ortho-hydrogen with its coincident spins is far more unstable than its para counter part where the electron/nuclear spins are in opposition. Hydrogen in its para form can be converted to its ortho form by the application of an appropriate magnetic field (Ruskin patent #3228 868). This process makes the hydrogen more volatile.
As previously mentioned the concept of electron spin is similar to our concept of spin in the everyday non-quantum world. In physics there is a fundamental law that states momentum cannot simply appear and disappear, since angular momentum is always conserved in any physical process. When magnetic force is applied, the atomic moments of the molecules tend to align with the direction of the field. As the axis of the electrons become aligned with the external magnetic field the angular momentum no longer averages out to zero. Consequently, the reactivity of the atom and related molecules are enhanced. In octane (C8H18) the carbon content of the molecule in terms of mass is 84.2% while the hydrogen content is 15.8%. When it is combusted the carbon portion of the molecule will generate 12,244 BTU (per pound of carbon). On the other hand, the hydrogen which comprises only 15.8% of the molecular weight will generate an amazing 9,801 BTU of heat per pound of hydrogen. Thus we can see the importance of hydrogen in generating heat when a hydrocarbon molecule is burned. By altering the spin properties of the electron, we can enhance the reactivity of the fuel and related combustion process.
In conclusion, due to the breakthrough in magnetic technology and the development of a new generation of permanent magnets with high enough flux density, it is now possible to build Magnetic Fuel Conditioners (MFC's) that substantially change the hydrocarbon molecule from its para state to the higher energized ortho state. This higher spin state shows a high potential (reactivity) which attracts additional oxygen. Combustion engineering teaches that additional oxygenation increases combustion efficiency resulting in fuel economy (i.e. turbo chargers, chemical oxidizing agents put into gasoline, etc.). MFC's providing a sufficient magnetic energy product and residence time, therefore increase the fuel's ability to further oxidize. The results are more complete combustion, cleaner exhaust and fuel economy