PREPARATORY COURSE FOR CHIEF ENGINEER OFFICER ON SHIPS OF 3000KW PROPULSION POWER OR MORE

TURBOCHARGERS RUNNING WITH T/C OUT OF ORDER

INTRODUCTION

The procedure to be taken should a turbocharger fail will depend on whether the turbocharger is pulse or constant pressure,
and on whether it is a single unit, or one of a number in a multi unit installation.

FAILURE

The reasons for failure are numerous; cracked casing, bearing failure, excessive vibration, damage to nozzle ring, turbine
blading or compressor wheel etc. In any of these circumstances it may not be possible to effect an immediate repair, and
the turbocharger may have to be taken out of service for a period of time.

Four stroke engine fitted with pulse turbocharger(s).

Blanking casing on ABB VTR

Because of the complexity of the exhaust arrangement, the rotor is removed and a blanking plate is fitted as shown. This
will allow the exhaust gas to pass through the casing and through to the uptake. If the casing is water cooled, maintain
cooling unless the casing has been badly cracked.

If it is an engine fitted with a single turbocharger, then the engine must be operated as a naturally aspirated engine. If the
air filter and compressor casing have been removed, then fit some filter material over the inlet to the air cooler. (cooling
shut off). If inspection doors are removed from the inlet manifold then place filter cloth over those as well. If possible
pressurize the engine room using vent fans. The engine will only be operable at low load conditions, the limits of which
will be determined by exhaust temperatures and combustion.

If the turbocharger is one of a multiple installation, where the air discharge is into a common manifold, then after blanking
off the gas casing as described above, the air inlet to the air cooler is also blanked off, and the engine run at reduced load
with the air supplied by the remaining turbochargers.

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 PREPARATORY COURSE FOR CHIEF ENGINEER OFFICER ON SHIPS OF 3000KW PROPULSION POWER OR MORE

TURBOCHARGERS RUNNING WITH T/C OUT OF ORDER

Two stroke crosshead engine fitted with constant pressure turbocharger(s).

If the engine is fitted with one constant pressure

turbocharger, then either the rotor can be removed in a
similar manner to that above, or as shown left, and the
exhaust gas routed through the blanked off casing.
Alternatively the rotor can be locked in position, the gas
inlet and outlet blanked off, whilst the exhaust gas is routed
through an emergency bypass pipe. (blank flanges may
have to be removed and the pipe fitted). To lock the rotor on
an ABB VTR type turbocharger with external bearings, the
exhaust end bearing is removed, and the locking plate
fitted. On the ABB TPL turbocharger, the intake filter or air
suction branch is removed along with the internal
compressor casing and the rotor is locked as shown below.

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 PREPARATORY COURSE FOR CHIEF ENGINEER OFFICER ON SHIPS OF 3000KW PROPULSION POWER OR MORE

TURBOCHARGERS RUNNING WITH T/C OUT OF ORDER

Blanking Casing on ABB TPL

Locking Rotor on ABB TPL turbocharger

On MAN-B&W engines to improve the air flow to the auxiliary blower, the expansion compensating piece (bellows)
between compressor outlet and air cooler inlet may have to be removed. On Sulzer RTA engines, the doors on the
scavenge space are opened to improve air flow to the auxiliary blower. Engine power will be limited by the amount of
scavenging air the auxiliary blower can supply, but will probably be limited to 'slow ahead'.

In the case of a multi - blower installation, then on MAN-

B&W engines, the usual practice is to lock the rotor in
position, and blank off (or shut the valves/dampers if fitted)
the gas inlet and the compressor outlet. The blanking plates
have orifices to allow a flow of a small amount of air or
gas, the former for compressor cooling, the latter to prevent
corrosion. If the turbocharger rotor is to be removed or
replaced during engine operation, then the gas inlet and
outlet and the compressor outlet must be blanked off
without orifices. On Sulzer RTA engines, the expansion
bellows on the air and gas side are removed, and blanking
plates fitted.

Blanking Points for Emergency Running With T\C Out of

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PREPARATORY COURSE FOR CHIEF ENGINEER OFFICER ON SHIPS OF 3000KW PROPULSION POWER OR MORE

TURBOCHARGERS RUNNING WITH T/C OUT OF ORDER

Action - Sulzer RTA

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