What is a Marine Engine Turbocharger?
Air is required for a fine combustion in a marine diesel engine. By increasing the density of air entering the engine, the total output power of the entire engine can be dramatically increased. We'll examine how turbochargers work in this article.
Importance of Marine turbochargers
If there is no turbocharger in the engine, air is drawn into the engine by a low-pressure area created when the piston descends. There is no way to increase or decrease the air inlet pressure in this system, which is also insufficient to ignite the fuel.
Turbochargers are used to provide a higher density of air to the engine in order to resolve this problem. As a result, the marine engine turbocharger is a forced-induction mechanism for marine diesel engines. An engine's cylinder is forced into compression, allowing a large amount of fuel to enter. Power is increased as a result of this, as is the weight-to-power ratio for the engines.
5 key points of turbocharger operation:
Track Turbo Charger Parameters :
Watch-keeping officers often overlook or forget to check important parameters during their rounds, despite the fact that this is a no-brainer. As part of the turbocharger's monitoring, the following items must be examined:
· Acceleration of turbocharger
· Temperatures at the inlet and outlet of exhaust gas
· Reducing the temperature of water entering and leaving the system
· Lubricant pressure and temperature in turbochargers
· Manometer measuring the compressor's differential air pressure.
Always Pay Attention to the TurboCharger Sound:
Identifying a problem with a machine using sound is one of the best methods available. Problems with the rotating parts of the turbocharger are indicated by any abnormal scratching noise. Furthermore, howling noise indicates a blocked air passage or inlet, which causes the turbocharger to surge.
Check Vibration:
Turbochargers are high-speed rotating machines that produce high amounts of pressure. Some of them are capable of reaching speeds greater than any other machinery on board the ship, in fact. As a result, they vibrate naturally. In order to transfer such vibrations to the ship's structure, engine bracing is done near the marine engine turbocharger. This could be caused by worn out bearings, a high "K" value, or loose foundation bolts, hence the engines must be stopped.
Check For Exhaust Leakage:
When using a turbocharger, you'll be dealing with gases that are extremely hot. Fuel enters through the engine, and exhaust pipes exit through the funnel. With a distance piece in between, these two points are connected by a flange. These joints must not leak exhaust, as this could cause a fire or create a smoky atmosphere in the engine room.
Check leakage of Sump Oil:
Keep an eye on the oil level and temperature in turbochargers with separate oil sump. Some ships' turbine side casings leak, causing oil to come into contact with hot spots on the engine body and exhaust gas. Engine room fires have resulted from such incidents.
Maintenance of Marine turbochargers
Intake Filters:
Mesh filters are used on marine marine engine turbocharger to prevent particles, moist oily air mixtures, etc., from entering the compressor turbine and fouling/damaging the turbine blade. Over the turbocharger compressor, it is recommended that an additional felt filter be installed to absorb oily air mixtures, as these filters can be changed frequently. The filter mesh must be chemically cleaned every two months or according to the operating hours specified in the owner's manual.
Check Clearances:
A thorough inspection of the marine engine turbocharger must be performed before it is opened up for overhaul. This includes checking the casing and blade tip clearances, "K" value of the shaft, which determines how correctly it should be aligned, and whether or not the labyrinth seal, which is installed between the impeller and exhaust shield, is working properly.
Turbocharger Washing:
Manufacturers recommend cleaning the turbocharger turbine and compressor sides on a regular basis. Carbon, soot, and other exhaust deposits are removed by cleaning the turbine and blower sides. Buy refurbished and new marine turbochargers from Ababil Marine.
Soot Blow:
Having a dirty exhaust passage after the marine engine turbocharger will reduce turbocharger performance (exhaust trunk and economizer). Turbine blades may be damaged or even smashed as a result of this. The exhaust gas boiler tubes should be cleaned of soot every day.
Power Distribution:
The exhaust gases produced by the combustion process inside the engine cylinders power the turbocharger. As an engine has multiple cylinders, it's important that all of the cylinders have the same amount of power. The marine engine turbochargers' turbine side will surge if one cylinder is producing more power due to a malfunctioning fuel valve. Power distribution in the ship's engine must be uniform.
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