Specific Fuel Oil Consumption (SFOC)
"The measure of fuel used by an engine to produce a unit of power, typically expressed in grams per kilowatt-hour (g/kWh). Lower SFOC indicates higher engine efficiency."
Definition
Specific Fuel Oil Consumption (SFOC) is a critical efficiency metric for marine engines. It represents the mass of fuel consumed to produce one unit of energy (usually 1 kWh). It is the automotive equivalent of "miles per gallon," but inverted: simpler, a lower number is better.
Monitoring
Engine manufacturers provide an SFOC curve, showing efficiency at different loads. Typically, marine diesel engines are most efficient (lowest SFOC) at 75-85% load. Operating significantly below or above this range increases fuel consumption per unit of power.
Importance
Monitoring SFOC deviation from the sea trial baseline is a primary method for detecting engine performance degradation, such as fouled injectors or turbocharger issues.