MEP Series: Volume 2 Part 17: Marine Low Speed Diesel Engines

Published: February 2020

This publication discusses the design and operation of crosshead-type marine diesel engines. It covers basic design of the two-stroke cycle crosshead engine, engine construction, monitoring and control, engine selection and installation, engine operation, maintenance and electronically controlled engines. The book is written in a clear and concise manner with supporting line drawings. It will be a useful study guide for those studying for certificates of competency as well as a source of reference for practising marine engineers.

This book considers the general principles of marine low speed diesel engines and provides examples of engine parts from the three different engine designs to aid understanding of construction, operation, selection and maintenance. Line drawings are used to illustrate fundamental differences in the components between different designs.

The book contains a detailed chapter on engine construction. It describes the design and purpose of key engine components, together with their maintenance requirements and common malfunctions.

There is a separate chapter on safety, additional engine systems, monitoring and control. This highlights the potential hazards (and the necessary safeguards) of fire, explosion, hotspots, oil mists and excessive noise.

General guidance is provided on engine selection, installation, operation, maintenance and emission control.

Content Listings:

1 The Low Speed Diesel Engine

1.1 Definition of a low speed diesel engine

1.2 The crosshead engine

1.3 The crosshead

1.4 Two-stroke operating cycle

1.5 Turbocharging and supercharging

1.6 Engine parameters

2 Engine Construction

2.1 Engine structure

2.2 Bedplate

2.3 Frames

2.4 Cylinder block

2.5 Tie rods

2.6 Cylinder liner

2.7 Cylinder cover

2.8 Piston

2.9 Piston rod gland

2.10 Crosshead

2.11 Connecting rod

2.12 Bearings

2.13 Crankshaft

2.14 Camshaft

2.15 Fuel injection system

2.16 Reversing systems

2.17 High pressure (HP) fuel oil pipes

2.18 Fuel leakage alarm

2.19 Fuel injectors

2.20 Governors

2.21 Lubrication systems

2.22 Engine cooling systems

2.23 Combustion air supply

2.24 Engine chocking

2.25 Vibration

3 Safety, Additional Engine Systems, Monitoring and Control

3.1 Crankcase explosion

3.2 Scavenge fire

3.3 Two stage turbochargers

3.4 Power take in (PTI) systems

3.5 Electrical generation

3.6 Engine monitoring systems

3.7 Unmanned machinery space (UMS)

3.8 Engine management systems

3.9 Noise

4 Engine Selection and Installation

4.1 Engine selection

4.2 Engine air supply

4.3 Exhaust gas system

4.4 Turbocharger choice

4.5 Engine services

4.6 Engine space requirement

4.7 Holding down system

4.8 Shaft earthing device

5 Engine Operation

5.1 Engine starting

5.2 Running procedure

5.3 Speed adjustment

5.4 Stopping

5.5 Emergency stopping

5.6 Continuous slow running

5.7 Cylinder cut-out system

5.8 Emergency running

5.9 Turbocharger failure

5.10 Record keeping

5.11 Exhaust emissions

6 Engine Maintenance

6.1 Maintenance

6.2 Maintenance records

6.3 Crankshaft and main bearings

6.4 Connecting rod bearings

6.5 Cylinder inspection

6.6 Cylinder cover and valves

6.7 Chain drive and camshaft

6.8 Turbocharger cleaning

6.9 Jacket cooling water

6.10 System oil testing

Appendix A The Electronically Controlled Engine

A1 Introduction

A2 Wärtsilä RT-flex engine

A3 MAN B&W electronic engines

Appendix B

B1 Engine emissions and emission control

B2 CO2 (carbon dioxide)

B3 NOx (oxides of nitrogen)