Machinery Spaces
Home || Diesel Engines ||Boilers||Feed Systems ||Steam Turbines ||Fuel Treatment ||Pumps ||Refrigeration ||

How to avoid scavenge fires - Internal combustion engine procedure

A basic part of the cycle of an internal combustion engine is the supply of fresh air and removal of exhaust gases. This is the gas exchange process. Scavenging is the removal of exhaust gases by blowing in fresh air. Charging is the filling of the engine cylinder with a supply or charge of fresh air ready for compression. With supercharging a large mass of air is supplied to the cylinder by blowing it in under pressure.

Efficient scavenging is essential to ensure a sufficient supply of fresh air for combustion. Cylinder oil can collect in the scavenge space of an engine. Unburned fuel and carbon may also be blown into the scavenge space as a result of defective piston rings, faulty timing, a defective injector, etc.

ships machinery spaces
container ships machinery info
A build-up of this flammable mixture presents a danger as a blow past of hot gases from the cylinder may ignite the mixture, and cause a scavenge fire. A loss of engine power will result, with high exhaust temperatures at the affected cylinders. The affected turbo-chargers may surge and sparks will be seen at the scavenge drains.

Once a fire is detected the engine should be slowed down, fuel shut off from the affected cylinders and cylinder lubrication increased. All the scavenge drains should be closed. A small fire will quickly burn out, but where the fire persists the engine must be stopped. A fire extinguishing medium should then be injected through the fittings provided in the scavenge trunking. On no account should the trunking be opened up.

To avoid scavenge fires occurring the engine timing and equipment maintenance should be correctly carried out. The scavenge trunking should be regularly inspected and cleaned if necessary. Where carbon or oil build up is found in the scavenge, its source should be detected and the fault remedied. Scavenge drains should be regularly blown and any oil discharges investigated at the first opportunity..



Uniflow scavenging
Fig: Uniflow scavenging



Dealing Scavenge Fires (Slow & Medium Speed 2-Strokes)

Fires in the scavenge spaces of diesel engines can be caused by wear of mechanical components, faulty fuel injection, inefficient exhaust system and incorrect cylinder lubrication.

It is also important that oil leaks into the scavenge spaces are prevented. The scavenge trunking must be kept in good clean condition so that the risk of scavenge fires is kept to a minimum. When inspecting scavenge trunks, the condition of piston rings should also be checked, remember to carefully ventilate scavenge spaces before inspecting.

Scavenge fires are extremely dangerous and it is important that quick and effective action is taken to rectify the situation.
  1. Engine revolutions must immediately be reduced to a minimum.
  2. If possible the fuel is to be cut off from the cylinder unit concerned.
  3. If more than one cylinder is involved then it will be more effective if the engine is stopped and the turning gear engaged and continuous turning commenced.
  4. The cylinder lubricators are then to be advanced to the maximum setting on the effected cylinders.
  5. Turbocharger air intakes are to be blanked off.
  6. Scavenge space relief valves where possible can be secured, and isolating flaps shut.
  7. All external scavenge space surfaces must be carefully scrutinised for outbreaks of fire and strategic cooling applied as necessary.
  8. There are various types of scavenge space fire extinguishing systems in use i.e. steam, dry powder, and CO2.

The system applicable to your engine is to be operated strictly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Particular attention must be paid to any precautions which have to be taken, e.g. the engine must only be operated within the rpm ranges specified by the manufacturer.



Related Information:

Operational guideline for marine boiler

Guideline for work in machinery spaces on board cargo ship

Various Heat exchanger for running machinery on board cargo ships


Marine machineries - Useful tags

Marine diesel engines ||Steam generating plant ||Air conditioning system ||Compressed air ||Marine batteries ||Cargo refrigeration ||Centrifugal pump ||Various coolers ||Emergency power supply ||Exhaust gas heat exchangers ||Feed system ||Feed extraction pump || Flow measurement || Four stroke engines || Fuel injector || Fuel oil system || Fuel oil treatment ||Gearboxes || Governor || Marine incinerator || Lub oil filters || MAN B&W engine || Marine condensers || Oily water separator || Overspeed protection devices || Piston & piston rings || Crankshaft deflection || Marine pumps || Various refrigerants || Sewage treatment plant || Propellers || Power Plants || Starting air system || Steam turbines || Steering gear || Sulzer engine || Turbine gearing || Turbochargers || Two stroke engines || UMS operations || Drydocking & major repairs || Critical machinery || Deck machineries & cargo gears || Control and instrumentation ||Fire protection ||Engine room safety ||





Machinery Spaces.com is about working principles, construction and operation of all the machinery items in a ship intended primarily for engineers working on board and those who working ashore . For any remarks please Contact us

Copyright © 2010-2016 Machinery Spaces.com All rights reserved.
Terms and conditions of use
Read our privacy policy|| Home page||