7/6/2563 8 Ways to Achieve Efficient Combustion in Marine Engines

HOME CORONAVIRUS NEWS VIDEOS MARINE TECH NAVIGATION LIFE AT SEA MORE SHOP ADVERTISE Search In Marine Insight

HOME » MAIN ENGINE » 8 WAYS TO ACHIEVE EFFICIENT COMBUSTION IN MARINE ENGINES

8 Ways to Achieve Efficient Combustion

in Marine Engines
By KaranC | In: Main Engine | Last Updated on October 19, 2019

Marine fuels used in ships are considered of the lowest grade as far as the quality is concerned. Massive
engines of the ships consume thousands of litres of fuel each day. Because of such an enormous
requirement of fuel, ships are forced to use low grade fuel oil, which is comparatively much cheaper.

Fuel cost is one of the most important factors which shipping companies consider while predicting profits.
To achieve maximum profit and to reduce pollution from ships, it is extremely important for the
propulsion engines to burn fuel oil efficiently. Several technologies have come up in the market to help
reduce fuel oil consumption of marine engines to as low as 163 gm/KWH, along with reduction of carbon
emissions.

SPONSORED SEARCHES

engine fuel system

marine diesel engines

fuel cleaner

marine gas oil

fuel injection pump

https://www.marineinsight.com/main-engine/8-ways-to-achieve-efficient-combustion-in-marine-engines/ 1/10
7/6/2563 8 Ways to Achieve Efficient Combustion in Marine Engines

In this article we have discussed about eight important aspects of marine fuel combustion which are
necessary in order to achieve efficient combustion of the fuel oil and to reduce fuel consumption and
exhaust space fouling. Controlling each of these components is a sure shot way to achieve efficient
combustion of fuel oil.

1) Fuel Treatment: The first step towards an efficient fuel combustion starts outside marine
engines. Fuel oil treatment, which includes removing impurities such as deposits and water in settling
tank and centrifuges, is extremely important.

This ensures that the fuel will break easily inside the combustion chamber without damaging the injection
parts such as pumps and injectors.

Marine Fuel Oil Puri er: Working Principle of Centrifugal Separator

2) Correct Fuel Temperature: The fuel oil viscosity also plays an extremely important role in the
combustion process. Temperature of the fuel oil controls the viscosity required at the time of injection
(approx- 10 to 15 cst) and ensures proper atomisation and penetration.Correct temperature is also
required to reduce NOX and SOX emissions coming out from the engine.

https://www.marineinsight.com/main-engine/8-ways-to-achieve-efficient-combustion-in-marine-engines/ 2/10
7/6/2563 8 Ways to Achieve Efficient Combustion in Marine Engines

EDEN CREATIVE
We use creativity and
long experiences to
create unique
advertising products.
Eden Creative

3) Correct Air Fuel Ratio: No combustion can take place without the presence of air or oxygen. For
marine engines, excess air must be supplied to the engine as the time for the combustion process is less
and because low grade fuel requires more air to produce less exhaust smoke. Sufficient oxygen must be
available to burn not only hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel oil but also other combustibles such as
sulphur.

4) Correct Injection Timing: The correct fuel injection timing leads to high power generation
without shock loading on the engine components. Proper injection timing also reduces smoky exhaust
caused because of late injection inside the cylinder. Fuel pumps and injector system must be maintained
as required, along with other factors discussed in this article.

5) Atomization: Atomization is the process of breaking the fuel oil particles of hydrogen and carbon
to extremely small droplets, which are easier to burn inside the combustion space.

This is done by maintaining correct viscosity, pressure and injection components of the engine.
Generation of perfect atomization is one of the most important factors for efficient combustion.

6) Penetration: Penetration is the distance travelled by the fuel particle inside the combustion
chamber just before burning. Atomization and penetration opposes each other hence the correct fuel
injector and injection system is required for proper penetration of the fuel. If the penetration is less then
the fuel will burn closer to the nozzle tip and damage it, whereas if the penetration is more then the fuel
will strike the piston crown and foul the same.

7) Air Fuel Mixing: The combustion can be made more efficient if the air and fuel are mixed
properly with each other during the time of burning.

This can be achieved by supplying air in the cylinder via angled hole in the liner to create swirling motion
for better mixing.

https://www.marineinsight.com/main-engine/8-ways-to-achieve-efficient-combustion-in-marine-engines/ 3/10
7/6/2563 8 Ways to Achieve Efficient Combustion in Marine Engines

8) Compression temperature: Marine engines are compression ignition engines wherein heat for
the combustion is provided by the high compression pressure from the pistons to create higher
temperature inside the cylinder. If the cylinder components such as piston, piston ring, or liner are worn
out or leaky, the rated compression pressure will not be achieved and the combustion will not be
efficient. Hence it is necessary that all parts are maintained properly and renewed when required.

The power generated by the engine is directly related to the manner in which the fuel is burnt inside the
engine. For better understanding of this process and to monitor the complete combustion process inside
the cylinder, indicator card must be taken at regular interval of time.

Do you know any other important point to achieve perfect combustion of fuel oil inside marine engines?

Image Credits:

wartsila, machineryspaces, lorange

Report an Error

Guides To Make You A Smart Marine Engineer Guides To Make You A Smart Deck Officer

Tags: marine diesel engines Marine engines

https://www.marineinsight.com/main-engine/8-ways-to-achieve-efficient-combustion-in-marine-engines/ 4/10
7/6/2563 8 Ways to Achieve Efficient Combustion in Marine Engines

Want to share your tips and advice? Got questions? Visit the community forum to ask
questions, get answers, meet people, and share your tips!

Download 12 FREE Maritime

Ebooks & Sign-up For Daily
Newsletter
Email

YES, SEND ME FREE E-BOOKS

We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

Search In Marine Insight

LATEST NEWS

Coronavirus: EU Urged 81% Of The Passengers Coronavirus: Ship Crews

To Open Schengen Who Tested Positive On Stranded At Sea For
Consulates Abroad To A Cruise Ship Had No Months Without Any
Provide Visa To Symptoms – Study Sign Of Relief
Seafarers

https://www.marineinsight.com/main-engine/8-ways-to-achieve-efficient-combustion-in-marine-engines/ 5/10
7/6/2563 8 Ways to Achieve Efficient Combustion in Marine Engines

DNV GL Awards World’s Wärtsilä To Supply DNV GL And SDMS Join

First DP2 Shuttle Tanker Europe’s Most Modern Hands To Accelerate
With Smartship Notation Simulator For Inland Taiwan’s Offshore Wind
Shipping Training Sector
Read all latest news

Comments

Erik Brems Kristensen says

APRIL 22, 2014 AT 4:12 PM

This article is fine, but i miss some concrete actions for the crews to take action on.
1) Fuel Treatment. There are two factors in purification. Time and temperature.
Time.
Make sure that the fuel is in the purifier as long as possible. This is by running two in parallel
with minimum flow.
Temperature.
Make sure that the temperature controller is well maintained, and able to keep the
temperature constant. It has been good practise to keep the temperature at 98 degree, but in
fact some purifiers are able to run with temperature above 100 degree, and that improves the
process, also regarding cat-fines. Ask the maker if your purifier is with back pressure to run
above 100 degree.
2) Correct fuel temperature.
Make sure that the viscosity controller is well maintained and able to keep a constant
viscosity/temperature.
3) Correct Air Fuel Ratio.
Make sure that the air filter is changed often. Make sure that the air cooler is clean both on
water and air side. Make sure that scavenging space below piston is clean. Make sure that the
turbo charger is cleaned regularly, dry or wet.
4) Correct Injection Timing.
This is related to combustion pressure. If the combustion presure is not kept at same level as
during shop trial, there is a fuel penalty. Check the shop trial data, and adjust the combustion
pressure to the right level corresponding to actual engine load. The procedure for adjusting
depends on engine type.
5) Atomization.
Make sure that the fuel injectors are correct maintained.
6) Penetration
As for item 5.
7)Air fuel mixing.
As for item 5
8) Compression temperature.
Besides that the liner and pistons must be well maintained, it is important to run with correct
scavenging air pressure. The engine is build with a compression ratio. Except from ME and
Flex engines, it cannot be adjusted. It is important to keep the turbo charger correct
maintained, and see item 9.

I would like to add Item 9. Scavenging air temperature.

Many vessels are build with central cooling water system, and the temperature is by mistake
kept too high, and consequently there is a huge fuel penalty.
In many building specifications are mentioned that the vessel is build to run with 32 or 36
degree water temperature. This is proven by yard by setting the central cooling water

https://www.marineinsight.com/main-engine/8-ways-to-achieve-efficient-combustion-in-marine-engines/ 6/10
7/6/2563 8 Ways to Achieve Efficient Combustion in Marine Engines

temperature at 32 or 36. Here it remains by mistake. it should be lowered as much as possible

considering the other machinery. It will save a lot of fuel.

suhairi othman says

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 AT 1:27 PM

Excellent article !

I would like to add conditon of fuel injection pump. Fuel injection pump leakages can degrade
the fuel atomisation and gelay fuel injection timing.

Anish says
SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 AT 10:49 PM

@Suhairi: Thank you for your inputs. ?

Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment

Name *

Email *

POST COMMENT

JOIN OVER 2 MILLION+ MARINERS

    

POPULAR NOW

https://www.marineinsight.com/main-engine/8-ways-to-achieve-efficient-combustion-in-marine-engines/ 7/10
7/6/2563 8 Ways to Achieve Efficient Combustion in Marine Engines

Drewry: Officer Shortage To Widen And Inflate

Manning Costs

Criminalisation of Seafarers – Rights Without

Justice

Coronavirus: Ship Crews Stranded At Sea For

Months Without Any Sign Of Relief

COVID Crisis: Seafarers At Risk Of Losing Jobs As

Government Delays Giving Permission To Run
Chartered Flights

India: 7 Chartered Flights Carrying Seafarers

Expected To Land in Goa in the Coming Week

COVID Crisis: Subsea 7 To Lay Off 3,000

Employees From Global Workforce Of 12,000

Download 12
FREE Maritime
eBooks
Join thousands of professionals using our
FREE eBooks worldwide.

Email

SUBSCRIBE

We promise not to use your email for

https://www.marineinsight.com/main-engine/8-ways-to-achieve-efficient-combustion-in-marine-engines/ 8/10
7/6/2563 8 Ways to Achieve Efficient Combustion in Marine Engines

spam!

Join Merchant Navy

SOLAS & MARPOL Guide

Types Of Ships

Marine Engineering

Naval Architecture

Careers At Sea

TRENDING ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Ballast Water Exchange and

Management Plan –
Everything You Wanted to
Know
Coronavirus: Ship Crews Stranded At Sea
For Months Without Any Sign Of Relief

https://www.marineinsight.com/main-engine/8-ways-to-achieve-efficient-combustion-in-marine-engines/ 9/10
7/6/2563 8 Ways to Achieve Efficient Combustion in Marine Engines

India: 7 Chartered Flights

Carrying Seafarers Expected
To Land in Goa in the Coming
Week
COVID Crisis: Seafarers At
Risk Of Losing Jobs As
Government Delays Giving
Permission To Run Chartered
Flights
Watch: Jan De Nul Joins
Forces To Build The World’s
Largest Installation Vessels

Drewry: Officer Shortage To

Widen And Inflate Manning
Costs

Mission To Seafarers
Launches New Seafarer
Support Campaign To
Address Severe Welfare
Issues

Privacy Policy | Refund Policy | Contact Us | Disclaimer | About Us | Team | Advertise | Send Us News

Copyright © 2010 - 2020 Marine Insight — All Rights Reserved |

https://www.marineinsight.com/main-engine/8-ways-to-achieve-efficient-combustion-in-marine-engines/ 10/10