Feature 7 | MACHINERY CONTROL & MONITORING Focus on contamination to cut costs
The latest condition monitoring and filtration technology is enabling hydraulic and lubrication systems to be maintained simply and cost effectively. Shaun Skilton, Condition Monitoring Product Sales Manager for Parker Hannifin, explains how.
with energy prices continuing to rise, ship owners and managers are facing increasing pressure to optimise the efficiency of their vessels. Virtually all aspects of operation are being reviewed in an effort to cut costs while maintaining performance. While many energy saving solutions,
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such as the use of sophisticated computer controlled systems, require significant levels of investment, there are others that can have a major impact on efficiency at relatively little cost. Among these measures is the implementation of effective condition monitoring strategies and filtration technology.
The cost of contamination Hydraulic oils and lubricants are vital to the smooth running of a ship’s systems, from engines to steering systems. To perform effectively, oils must be kept clean and in optimum condition. However, the very nature of the work that oils perform means that over time they will degrade, with exposure to heat and oxygen reducing their viscosity, and become contaminated, for example, by metallic particles from rotating surfaces, fuel oils from leaking injectors and pumps, and moisture that has penetrated faulty o-rings and gaskets. The degradation and contamination of
hydraulic and lubricating oils is typically a gradual process over months or years; however, it can have a significant effect on operating costs. For example, a reduction in the effectiveness of lubrication will lead to increased levels of wear in high-speed engine shafts and bearings; subsequently, more power will be required to maintain output levels, resulting in higher fuel consumption. Similarly, the presence
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ith the price of oil having gone through unprecedented highs during 2008, and
Icount PD particle counter with LED readout from Parker Hannifi n.
of water in oil causes bacteria and fungal growth, affecting its lubricating properties and producing acid corrosion and oxidation; this can damage bearing surfaces and rubber seals so that they eventually have to be replaced, incurring further costs. Additionally, contaminated oil now has to be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner, which introduces yet more expense. With a poorly managed approach to
maintenance, operational costs can escalate considerably over time. To avoid this, marine engineers are increasingly looking for ways to extend the operating life of hydraulic and lubricating oils, optimising on-board, on-deck and below-deck equipment performance and minimising waste.
Condition monitoring By taking a structured and informed approach to monitoring the condition
of hydraulic and lubrication systems, operating costs can be reduced significantly. A new generation of condition monitoring products are making it simpler and more cost effective than ever to ensure oils are able to provide optimum performance for extended periods. These devices have been developed with the specific needs of marine applications in mind, being compact, easy to install and use, and capable of accurate and repeatable results. For example, particle counting
instruments such as Parker’s Icount PD have been designed to be fitted directly into hydraulic oil lines, with a simple LED readout giving a continuous indication of particle content to make operators aware of critical conditions. These latest devices are extremely compact and robust, making them ideal for fitting to a range of primary and secondary hydraulic systems,
Ship & Boat International November/December 2008
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