Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
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.
It indicates that shipkeeping and maintenance is not proper and up to the mark.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
The turbocharger inlet grid in the exhaust manifold is choked, and therefore the turbocharger is running at low
speed.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. The engine room blowers are not supplying sufficient air as the filters are choked.
The fuel-related problems that could cause black smoke are as follows:
9.
The low temperature of the fuel causing poor atomization and penetration.
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.
3.
The engine must be checked for scavenge fire and the under-piston temperature must be checked of all the units.
The fuel racks of all the fuel pumps must be checked and must be within limits.
4.
5.
The air filter of the turbocharger blower must be checked for choking.
The turbocharger speed must be checked and the temperature drop across the turbocharger must be checked.
6.
7.
The fuel temperature must be checked and it must be within the range 120 to 140 degrees C for heavy fuel oil.
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.
1.
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.
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
2.
3.
the turbine.
The turbocharger compressor is dirty. Again the water washing of the blower must be done and if it is
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
The fuel is of low temperature. Heat up the fuel to the correct temperature as per the manufacturers advice.
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.
References