Solve the Blocked fuel supply problem to main diesel engines
Released on = May 7, 2006, 12:12 pm
Press Release Author = Phil Hughes/EESIFLO International
Industry = Transportation & Logistics
Press Release Summary = Blocked fuel supply problem to main engine
Press Release Body = Some reports have seen a vessel's main diesel engine stop during a voyage . The fuel oil flow to the main engine an be blocked by a flow meter which has stopped. Small impurities in the fuel oil may cause seizure of rotating parts in some flow meters of the positive displacement type, resulting in a sudden and complete stop of the fuel oil supply. The same may also happen due to mechanical failure of the drive mechanism of the flow counter. Flow meters are normally fitted with an integral strainer/filter, which in case of clogging may cause a gradual reduction of the fuel oil flow.
In one typical fuel oil arrangement the flow meter is fitted on the suction side of the fuel oil booster pump. In another arrangement the flow meter is fitted on the pressure side of the booster pump. The EESIFLO CTT METER is a non intrusive flowmeter and does not have inherent problems of stoppage both of propulsion diesel engines and diesel generators due to blockage of fuel supply caused by flow meters.
One solution for these flow meters of positive displacement type should be to regularly monitor them during operation. Additionally, the fuel oil flow arrangement can be designed so that blocking/stopping of the flow meter does not cut the fuel supply to the diesel engines. This can be achieved, for example, by fitting a bypass differential pressure valve across the flow meter.
Another solution is to use a clamp on ultrasonic flowmeter. These flowmeters are not affected by seizure or frictional problems because the sensors use ultrasound to measure the flow. Previously, this kind of technology had not been considered because of irregularites in flow reporting. This could be due to changes in temperature of the liquid media or inadequate measurement techniques . Some companies have managed to solve these problems but the end products are simply too expensive . Ship owners and managers who have purchased higher priced but high quality non-intrusive flowmeters have benefited in the long run and savings have become a reality due to zero maintenance and measurement stability over time.
EESIFLO has patented a new kind of ultrasonic flowmeter technique which uses ultrasonic propagation techniques that are not affected by a change in fuel temperature. Flow measurement outputs are linear and the CTT flowmeter will not interfere with the fuel process since the measurements are non-invasive.
For more information on CTT flowmeters, please contact EESIFLO International 's Product development team