It is said that with the growing use of low Sulphur fuels, testing the stability of the fuel oil and its compatibility for commingling is becoming increasingly important; while each fuel oil is produced to be stable, it does not have the tendency to produce Asphaltenic sludge, as bunkers being stemmed are not necessarily compatible with existing onboard fuel stocks.
Adding to this, optimizing diesel engines performances is key to reducing ships’ operational costs. In fact, Indicator Diagrams are indicative of the power generated within engines and can be a useful tool for marine engineers to get an insight on their engines’ performance.
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Sensors like acoustic emission sensors can further provide useful information about injection; ignition and combustion.
Modern Main Engines can be monitored constantly with online systems provided by each manufacturer; yet, such systems can monitor only a few key points from the combustion process, Mr. Matthias Winkler, Managing Director of CMT said at a UAE branch technical meeting of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) on Thursday, December 12, focusing on fuel compatibility and Diesel engine performance measurement, in respect to reducing maintenance costs.
What is more, a handheld system can be useful for a detailed analysis of problems shown by an online system. In addition, the Auxiliary Engines are often neglected when the main engine is monitored online and thus consume more fuel than needed.
Whatsoever, recent trials undertaken for market research showed large differences between the different sensor technologies- there are different hand-held devices available on the market; as well as the different software solutions provided with devices.
Main deviations have been found in accuracy and the capability to undertake diesel engine performance analysis.
Diesel engines, typically with six or more cylinders, are frequently prone to cylinder–to–cylinder variability requiring periodic re-balancing and frequent adjustments. In some marine diesel engines, cumbersome monthly balancing is required to maintain nominal engine operation and emission characteristics.
Nikeel Idnani, Honorary Secretary of the IMarEST UAE branch commented that
Enhancing the performance of engines is a straightforward method of reducing GHG emissions and operational costs of a vessel.
The Honorary Secretary also brought to light the risk of incompatibility when mixing two types of fuels and suggested using approved instantaneous onboard Compatibility Test Kits as a mitigating measure against clogging of fuel filters and separators and sticking of fuel injection pumps, all of which can lead to loss of power or even shut down of the propulsion plant, putting the ship in harm’s way.