Nippon Yuka Kogyo, an NYK Group company specializing in chemical R&D as well as the manufacture and sale of chemical products, has announced the forthcoming release of BioxiGuard, Japan’s first antioxidant specially developed for marine biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester).
Compared with conventional petroleum-based fuels, biofuel contains a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, making it more susceptible to oxidative degradation. Once oxidized, the biofuel can produce acidic substances and sludge, adversely affecting vessel fuel efficiency by reducing the fuel’s calorific value.
Based on property analyses of the biofuel used in NYK-operated vessels, BioxiGuard is said by the NYK Group to slow the progression of oxidative degradation and helps deter issues such as metal corrosion, strainer blockage, and cleaning-system fouling often triggered by oxidized fuel.
According to laboratory tests conducted by Nippon Yuka researchers, the addition of BioxiGuard at a concentration of 1 part per 500 resulted in an approximate 50% reduction in the rate of biofuel degradation compared to untreated biofuel.
“This significant improvement underscores the potential for vessel operators to not only extend the useful life of biofuel on board but also maintain more stable and cost-effective vessel operations,” the company said in a statement.
