Maritime English

Unit 8

Testing an Engine

8.1

Introduction

The diesel engines, gear systems and hydraulics required to power today's marine industry are
expected to operate for long periods of time at full load capacity under extreme, often uncontrollable,
conditions. These units are constantly exposed to the damaging effects of either fresh water or
saltwater, which are also used by some to cool the very systems that keep them up and running. Where
contamination and wear are eminent, maximizing asset reliability becomes the priority. Monitoring the
condition of both the unit and the fluid through oil analysis identifies wear-causing contaminants and
their effect on performanceit costs so little to protect so much.

Routine oil analysis is critical to managing asset reliability in any marine application. High
performance expectations and harsh environmental operating conditions present constant obstacles.
Continual exposure to water creates unique problems. Fresh water-cooled engines are susceptible to
condensation and rust. Diesel engines typically operate at very high temperatures, promoting oxidation
and acid formation. Gear systems and hydraulics are vulnerable to contamination and wear. Oil
changes can be difficult and are not always convenient. Routine testing and analysis can extend oil
drain intervals and identify small problems before they become costly failures.
8.2

Engine Parameters

Before any engine is put on the market, it has to be thoroughly tested. Nobody wants an engine that is
going to fail in use. So various tests are done on engines, of which we will look at a few.
Useful Power
You will have seen that many engines have their power quoted as brake horsepower (bhp). This has
been used by engineers for at least two hundred years. At its crudest, it is a comparison with the power
you can get out of a horse, which had been the common form of motive power for many centuries.
However a more scientific test was needed, and the diagram below shows the kind of set up, called a
dynamometer.
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Summary
We can work out indicated power from the indicator diagrams.
Internal combustion engines work on the four-stroke cycle: Suck, squeeze, bang, blow.
Indicated power = energy from p-V diagram x no of cylinders x number of cycles per sec.
Power from fuel = calorific value x flow rate
Thermal efficiency = indicated power power from fuel
Mechanical efficiency = output power indicated power
Overall efficiency = output power power from fuel
Power = torque x angular velocity.
1 bhp = 1 PS = 750 W
8.3 Comprehension Exercises
Ex. 1 Fill in the gaps with the following words:
with; condition; newly; schedules; operating;
preceded; other; runs; generator; break-in
Load testing of ... overhauled engines must be ... by a sufficient number of ... at no load and partial
load to insure that all parts are in good ... or functioning properly and to insure that the engine and ... or
... loading device have reached uniform and correct ... temperatures. Initial runs should comply ...
manufacturers engine ... procedures and ....

Ex. 2 Match the words with the damages that they can do:

Rust
Scale and deposit formations
Oxidation

can act as insulators, which form

barriers for proper heat transfer
can lead to rust
can accelerate wear, reduce heat
transfer efficiency and eventually
clog the system

Bibliography / Webography
1. Logie, C., Vivers, E., Nisbet, A. Marlins Study Pack 2 (book and two audio cassettes). Edinburgh,
Marlins, 1998 (ISBN 09531748 1 6)
2. Murphy, R. Essential Grammar In Use. 1st ed. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1990
(ISBN 0 521 35770 5)

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