An agency of the United Nations known as the International Marine Organization (IMO) which is responsible for regulating the marine sector world-wide mandated a protocol which requires shippers to transition to “Low-Sulfur Fuels” in 2011 requiring implementation by the Marine Sector on January 1, 2020. Colloquially known as IMO-2020, the IMO’s new shipping regulations refer to Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). IMO-2020 was primarily put into effect in order to reduce air pollution in Emission Control Areas (ECA’s) caused by the burning of marine fossil fuels; more specifically, to reduce the emissions of sulfur-oxide (SO<sub>x</sub>) and nitrous-oxide (NO<sub>x</sub>) compounds and particulates. IMO-2020 guidelines lowered the allowable weight percentage of sulfur from 3.50 wt% down to 0.50 wt% beginning on the January 1, 2020 implementation date. The IMO refers to fuels meeting the 0.50 wt% sulfur limit as VLSFO’s (Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oils). In addition to IMO-2020 ECA’s, a number of European Union countries as well as the United States and Canada have implemented. more stringent Sulfur Emission Control Areas (SECA’s) requiring Marine Operators to utilize marine fuels containing a maximum of 0.10 wt% sulfur. Marine fuels meeting the 0.10 wt% sulfur criteria are known as ULSFO’s (Ultra Low Sulfur Fuel Oils). Prior to the cap, ships could burn marine fuels with sulfur contents of up to 3.5 % but this was reduced to ≤0.5 % S (IMO, 2020) with the aim of reducing the worldwide emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx) to the atmosphere and thus providing major human health and environmental benefits. The compliant VLSFO (≤0.5 % S) and Ultra Low Sulfur Fuel Oils (ULSFO, ≤0.1 % S) are replacing the traditional intermediate fuel oils or heavy fuel oils e.g. IFO 180 and IFO 380, that can still be used in conjunction with sulfur scrubbers, but information about their physical and chemical characteristics are only just becoming known. Here we examine the characteristics of a number Low Sulfur Marine Fuels using Comprehensive Two-dimensional Gas Chromatography coupled with High Resolution Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (GC×GC-HRT).

Characterization of low sulfur marine fuel oils using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with high resolution time of flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-HRT)

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