In order to monitor the engine performance, we would need to measure the power output and fuel consumption of the engine. This will allow the performance of the engine to be measured against previous and even test bed readings.
The staff would be instructed to the followings:
- Measure the power of the each cylinder by electronic pressure measurement. If the engine was driving an electrical load, then the electrical output power could be used. This will allow the total engine power to be calculated, and also for any power imbalance to be detected. This power measurement would be taken every month.
- Measure the fuel consumption of the engine every day over a 8 and 24 hour period. This consumption would be measured in tonne/hour, and thermal and density conversions from a volumetric flow rate at the meter would be required.
- Calculate the specific fuel consumption of the engine in terms of g/kWh, so that fuel consumption at various engine conditions could be compared.
Engine room staff would be instructed to the followings:
- Closely monitor the pressure differential across the lube oil filters each day, and to report any increase in this pressure, or the frequency of automatic filter blowdown.
- Take a representative sample from the lube oil inlet to the engine every week.
- This sample would be tested on board for
- Water content
- Change in viscosity
- BN reserve
- In addition every month a representative sample would be taken and sent for shore analysis so that a wider range of variables could be analysed.
The general condition of the engine could be monitored by measuring the various parameters taken by the data logger or manual log readings.
The staff would be instructed to the followings:
- Take a full set of readings twice a day on all the major parameters of the engine, such as
- Exhaust gas temperatures
- Lube oil pressure and temperature
- Fresh water cooling pressure and temperature
- Scavenge air pressure and temperature
- T/C rev/min
- Exhaust gas smoke levels
- These readings would form the basis of the datum readings for that engine, and any major changes to the measurements should be reported to the Chief Engineers without delay.
- In addition, should electronic power measurement not be available on-board, then peak pressure readings of each cylinder would be taken monthly to ensure even loading of the cylinders