What is the purpose of purifier in ship？

The purpose of a purifier in a ship is to maintain the quality of fuel and lubricating oil by removing water, sludge, and other impurities. This is critical for the efficient operation and longevity of marine engines and auxiliary machinery. Here are the main functions of a purifier on a ship:

 1. Fuel Oil Purification

   - Removing Water and Sediment: Marine fuel oil, especially heavy fuel oil, often contains water, dirt, and other impurities. The purifier separates these contaminants to ensure that only clean fuel reaches the engine. This is crucial because impurities can cause damage to the fuel injection system and reduce combustion efficiency.

   - Preventing Engine Wear and Damage: Clean fuel helps to minimize wear and tear on fuel injectors, pumps, and other engine components. Water and sediments in fuel can cause corrosion, erosion, and clogging, leading to operational problems and higher maintenance costs.

   - Optimizing Combustion Efficiency: Purifying fuel ensures it is free of contaminants that can affect combustion quality. Cleaner fuel results in more efficient combustion, better engine performance, and reduced emissions.

 2. Lubricating Oil Purification

   - Removing Contaminants from Lubricating Oil: The purifier also cleans the lubricating oil used in the ship's main and auxiliary engines. It removes water, metallic particles, and other impurities that can contaminate the oil during engine operation.

   - Extending Lubricating Oil Life: Regular purification helps maintain the quality of the lubricating oil, extending its useful life. This reduces the frequency of oil changes and lowers operating costs.

   - Protecting Engine Components: By keeping the lubricating oil clean, the purifier helps protect critical engine parts like bearings, pistons, and cylinders from damage caused by contaminated oil.

 3. Preventing Operational Issues and Ensuring Safety

   - Contaminated fuel or lubricating oil can lead to engine problems, power loss, or even engine failure. In severe cases, this can compromise the safety of the ship. Purifiers help prevent such issues by ensuring that only clean oil is used in the engine and other machinery.

   - Reducing Emissions: Cleaner fuel contributes to more complete combustion, resulting in lower emissions of harmful substances like sulfur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter.

 4. Compliance with Regulations

   - Ships must comply with international regulations regarding emissions and fuel quality, such as those set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Purifiers play a role in meeting these standards by ensuring fuel and oil used on board meet the required quality specifications.

In summary, the main purpose of a purifier on a ship is to keep the fuel and lubricating oil clean, thereby protecting the engine, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring safe and reliable operations.