Many different names are used for marine diesel fuels. The different names often cause misunderstanding. Some specifications for marine diesel fuels seem to be based on the limits of the fuel suppliers. Those specifications may not be as precise as other specifications such as ASTM fuel specifications.
Four types of marine diesel fuel are recognized. These four types of marine diesel fuel are available at bunkering ports around the world. Not all of the types are available at every station.
Be aware of the fuel supplier specifications for a fuel. Do not use residual fuel or fuel that is blended with residual fuel in diesel engines that are configured to use distillate fuel.
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Heavy fuel oil, residual fuel, or blended fuel can be used only in Cat 3600 Series engines that are configured to use heavy fuel oil. DO NOT use these types of fuel in diesel engines that are configured to use distillate diesel fuel. Do not use these types of fuel in engines that are Tier 4 EPA certified. Failure to follow this recommendation will result in severe wear of components and engine failure. |
Gas Oil - A light distillate fuel which does not contain residual fuel. Gas oil is approximately ASTM No.1 diesel fuel.
Marine Diesel - A distillate fuel that boils at a higher temperature than gas oil. This fuel varies from ASTM No.2 to ASTM No.4. The composition can vary within the following range: ASTM No.2 diesel fuel, No.2 that is contaminated with heavier fuel in the bottom of a tanker and No.2 that is blended with as much as 20 percent of residual fuel.
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Do NOT use fuel that is blended with residual fuel in diesel engines that are configured to use distillate fuel. Severe component wear and component failures will result if this type of fuel is used in diesel engines that are configured to use distillate fuel. |
Table 1 lists some permissible marine diesel fuels.
Blended Fuel Oil - A blend of distillate and residual fuel. This fuel is blended to the viscosity that is requested by the operator or the manufacturer of the engine. Blended fuel is also referred to as heavy fuel oil (HFO).
Note: Do NOT use blended fuel in Cat diesel engines that are configured to use distillate fuel. Severe component wear and component failures will result if this type of fuel is used in diesel engines that are configured to use distillate fuel.
Residual Fuel - A residue from the distillation of crude oil in a refinery. Residual fuel is also referred to as heavy fuel oil (HFO).
Note: DO NOT use residual fuel in Cat diesel engines that are configured to use distillate fuel. Severe component wear and component failures will result if this type of fuel is used in diesel engines that are configured to use distillate fuel.
DO NOT use fuels that are classified as CIMAC DC or ISO 8217F-DMC.
The use of fuels that are classified as CIMAC DC or ISO 8217F-DMC can reduce the service life of components.
Only use fuels that meet or exceed Cat recommendations. The use of fuels that are not recommended can reduce the service life of components.
The classifications that are listed in Table 1 are established by the International Standards Organization (ISO). Fuels which meet the classifications that are listed in Table 1 are permissible for use in Cat 3600 Series diesel engines that are configured to use distillate fuel. Fuels classified by the Council International Des Machines a Combustion (CIMAC) that are equivalent to the ISO Classifications indicted in Table 1 are also permissible for use in Cat 3600 and C280 Series engines.
| Marine Distillate Diesel Fuels That Are Permissible for Use In Caterpillar 3600 Series and C280 Series Diesel Engines |
| "ISO 8217-DMA" |
| "ISO 8217-DMZ" |
| "ISO 8217-DMB" |
| "ISO 8217-DMX" |
Note: Use of permissible fuels can result in higher maintenance costs and reduced engine service life.