Modern marine diesel engines, such as those produced by MAN Diesel & Turbo and Wärtsilä, use advanced cylinder lubrication systems to ensure efficient and reliable operation. One notable system is the Pulse Lubrication System used by Wärtsilä.
Pulse Lubrication System:
- Construction: The system consists of eight quills attached to the cylinder liner, which receive oil from an electronically controlled dosage pump.
- Working: The oil is filtered and stored in duct passages within the quills. High-pressure servo oil is used to pressurize the central piston in the quills, injecting oil into the liner at the correct piston position.
- Control: The Wärtsilä Engine Control System (WECS) controls the solenoid valve opening and oil injection, ensuring accurate delivery of oil based on engine load.
Optimum Cylinder Oil Feed with Varying Sulphur Content of Fuel Oil
To achieve optimal cylinder oil feed, the Adaptive Cylinder Oil Control (ACC) system is used. This system adjusts the lubricating oil feed rate based on the sulphur content of the fuel oil and engine load.
ACC System:
- Function: The ACC system calculates the feed rate using an ACC factor, which is multiplied by the sulphur percentage in the fuel oil.
- Example: For fuel oil with a sulphur content of 3% or below, the recommended feed rate is 0.60 g/kWh. For fuel oil with a sulphur content above 3%, the feed rate is 0.20 g/kWh multiplied by the sulphur percentage.
This adaptive approach ensures that the cylinder is adequately lubricated while minimizing oil consumption and preventing excessive wear.