While many of today's ship engine rooms are equipped with sensor
systems to track temperature, pressure, and other engine management
processes, lube oil (LO) monitoring sensors have remained somewhat
absent from the mix. Recent attempts to address the situation have
largely failed because the essential techniques do not exist, and
the means to develop these techniques rest with stakeholders
outside of the shipping industry.
The eight-member POSSEIDON consortium headed by Martechnic in
Germany has resolved this long-standing problem by pooling together
specialised knowledge in technology, lubrication, methodology,
optics, fluidics and end-user needs and applications. As such, the
POSSEIDON sensor-based processing unit represents a new era in
shipping technology.
The sensor allows lubricated systems, such as a vessel's main
propulsion and power generating engines, to be monitored
continuously. The technology specifically checks main LO properties
including viscosity, water-in-oil, base number and impurities, and
predicts oil degradation and contamination. LO is so important to
propulsion and power generating engines that failure has the
potential to put a ship, crew, cargo, and the surrounding
environment in real danger.
Leading POSSEIDON researcher Dr David Baglee from the University of
Sunderland in the UK explained that the main propulsion engine of a
ship can circulate 40 tonnes of expensive LO. 'In addition to its
normal in-service ageing, [LO] is exposed to contamination factors,
such as fresh and sea water, fuel oil, and the products of
combustion from heavy fuel that started its life as refinery
waste,' he said.
'Therefore the economics surrounding this vital fluid are
significant. While engine spare parts are costly, the penalties of
interrupted service for a ship can be crippling, costing millions
of pounds everyday a vessel is out of action.'
In addition to avoiding the heavy economic repercussions of vessel
failure, the sensor represents an important means to safeguard
against oil spills at sea.
The software operates like a traffic light system that alerts crews
to take remedial action and maintenance measures before any damage,
failure or risk can occur. Importantly, it is also strong enough to
withstand a vessel's turbulent operating environment, and does not
require specific service or special attention.
Dr Baglee concluded that the technology has the potential to be
applied to many other situations. 'This has been a fantastic
project, especially as this is the first time Amap (the University
of Sunderland's Institute for Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced
Practice) [has] been involved in a project with the marine
industry,' he pointed out.
'It's been exciting and the possibilities for this software are
endless. We are even looking at adapting the software for multi-use
in other industries such as wind power.'
SOURCE
