Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
written by: Chief Engineer Mohit Sanguri • edited by: Swagatam • updated: 8/9/2011
Black Smoke from the funnel is a sign of poor maintenance and malfunction of the
machinery. It is a serious issue as it violates Marpol 73/78 Annex VI and can lead to
inspections and detention of the ship. In a ship with multiple machines the identification of
the faulty unit is a difficult task.
Marpol Annex VI has set standards for air pollution and the sulphur content of the exhaust
gases. Black smoke indicates that the combustion is incorrect. It suggests bad fuel efficiency
and an increase in the fuel consumption.
The dark colour of the smoke is caused by suspended fine carbon particles due to incomplete
combustion taking place. However the offending machine has to be identified before any
corrective action can be made. In marine diesel engines the poor combustion is basically due
to two main reasons; the first one is insufficient air supply and the second one is incorrect
fuel injection.
The air-related problems in marine diesel engines may be due to the following reasons:
The fuel-related problems that could cause black smoke are as follows:
The black smoke could come from the main engine, the three auxiliary engines, the oil fired
boiler, the exhaust boiler, or the incinerator. A quick trip to the top of the funnel may indicate
the source. Once the exhaust pipe has been identified, it should be traced down to the engine
room In case it is the incinerator or the boiler, the fault can be discovered soon, but in engines
with multiple units it must be established that whether the fault is of an individual unit of is it
common to all.
In case the smoke is traced to a multi-unit diesel engine, the procedure of finding the smoking
unit is as follows:
1. The engine must be checked for overloading and the exhaust temperatures of the
individual units must be checked. The difference in temperature of the individual unit
and the average temperature must not exceed 50 degrees C.
2. The engine must be checked for scavenge fire and the under-piston temperature must
be checked of all the units.
3. The fuel racks of all the fuel pumps must be checked and must be within limits.
4. The air filter of the turbocharger blower must be checked for choking.
5. The turbocharger speed must be checked and the temperature drop across the
turbocharger must be checked.
6. The fuel temperature must be checked and it must be within the range 120 to 140
degrees C for heavy fuel oil.
7. In the case the problem is only due to a particular cylinder, the units must be cut off
one by one and for about two three minutes any change in exhaust must be observed.
Colors of Smoke
The color of the smoke tells about the condition of the machines. The ideal color of the
smoke should be transparent to slight grey.
Corrective Actions
0. The fuel rack of unit is stuck. The rack can be manually pulled back and the
lubrication should be done to remove the fuel sludge. In case the rack does not free
up, then the engine must be stopped and the fuel pump replaced with another
overhauled one.
1. The turbocharger speed has dropped. In this case either the turbocharger is fouled
or has become damaged. Also it could indicate choked nozzle ring or inlet grid. The
first thing that must be done is that turbine washing or dry grit cleaning must be
attempted. If after two or three washings the turbine does not speed up, then it needs
to be opened up and cleaned at the next available opportunity.
2. The temperature drop across the turbocharger has fallen. Generally a temperature drop
of around a hundred degrees C should exist across the turbine. In case it is less, the
turbocharger efficiency has fallen down and must be corrected. Turbine washing is
the first attempted solution and should be followed up by opening and cleaning the
turbine.
3. The turbocharger compressor is dirty. Again the water washing of the blower must be
done and if it is unsuccessful then open and clean.
4. The air filter is dirty. Change the air filter and adjust the copper wire meshing to the
correct density.
5. The fuel pump timing is wrong. Readjust the timing.
6. The fuel injection valves are faulty. Stop the engine and pressure test all the fuel
valves and correct any faults.
7. The fuel is of low temperature. Heat up the fuel to the correct temperature as per the
manufacturer’s advice.
8. The incinerator is over-stuffed. Put in only the correct charge each time.
9. Incinerator temperature is low. Increase the temperature and preheat before burning
sludge and garbage.
10. Boiler air register is wrongly adjusted. Adjust as per the instruction manual.
11. Boiler main burner is dripping. Stop the boiler purge and then overhaul the burner.
12. Economizer fire. Slow down the main engine and give boundary cooling. Soot blow if
temperature of fire is low (below metal burning point). After stopping clean
thoroughly and inspect for damages.
13. Scavenge fire. Slow down the engine and stop. After cooling down, clean the under
piston space and investigate fault.