T.S. Patriot State Engineering Manual

Patriot State was the training ship of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy from 1986 to 1998.

Fuel Oil Transfer Systerm Operation

Transfer Pump

When starting up, the fuel oil transfer pump should be operated on low speed until the cold oil is cleared out of the suction. The recirculating line between the pump suction and discharge should be used when drawing from a tank distant from the pump; when drawing cold oil; or during low flow conditions when pump hammer occurs. This effect is usually caused by a high pump suction vacuum due to a long suction line, cold oil, or a plugged strainer. Since the valve in the recirculating line diverts some of the pump discharge to the suction, it should not be opened more than is necessary to quiet the pump. The discharge valve of the F.O. transfer pump should be closed when using the emergency F.O. service suction to prevent pulling a vacuum on the transfer pump.

Before starting the pump, the oil should be at the proper viscosity to pump freely. Tank heating coils should be used if necessary. The best pumping temperature for most grades of fuel oil will be between 100° F. and 120° F.

Filling

Two filling stations are provided, one on each side of the ship on the "B" Deck at frame 125. Each filling station is provided with two hose connections. The filling stations are cross connected and led into the fuel oil transfer main. The filling system is designated to permit loading Bunker C fuel oil at approximately 300 SSF viscosity and 120° F. at a maximum rate of 2500 barrels an hour when using one filling station.

1. The deep tanks are to be filled before the double bottoms.
2. Open all valves in the lines from the filling station to the tanks to be filled, and fill tanks.
3. While being filled, tank level indicators should be observed regularly.
4. Top off each tank after it becomes approximately 90% full.
5. When a tank becomes about 95% full, close its manifold valve. The tanks are left 5% slack to provide for expansion of the oil.

CAUTION: Replace the cap on the filling station hose connection after filling or discharging is complete.

To reduce bunkering time to a minimum, ship's oil should be transferred into the extreme forward and after fuel tanks prior to the refueling operation.

Transfer

The manipulation of the valves to accomplish any transfer operation can be determined by a study of the system diagrams.

Before transferring, the oil should be heated if necessary. The thermometer at the fuel oil transfer pump suction should then be observed from time to time when pumping to make sure that the temperature is correct for the grade of oil being handled and to determine the tank heating necessary during the pumping.

Direct comments to William Haynes whaynes@maritime.edu
Mon, Jul 1, 1996
TSPS Engineering Manual ©1995 Massachusetts Maritime Academy