The incinerator plays an important role in a ship as it minimises the cost of waste disposal for it. This machinery is used to burn both solid and liquid waste that is produced on a ship. Also, it helps to reduce the total amount of waste on the ships. Therefore, this machinery should be in a good condition. Any wrong operation or if the incinerator is under maintenance, then the equipment’s efficiency will get reduced, and even serious accidents can also take place. To keep it in the optimum condition, you need to have proper knowledge about it. So, if you are planning to buy a passenger ferry for sale soon, then to maintain the ship’s incinerator, you should first know about the common problems that can develop in the incinerator machine.
1. Flame Failure Alarm
If you receive the flame failure alarm, then the first thing that you should check is the flame sensor. In most cases of flame failure alarms, it has been observed that the flame sensors have accumulated dirt and dust, which have led to the problem. In such cases, what you can do is take out the sensor, clean it and place it back. If the sensor is not defective then this would work, otherwise, you can replace the sensor with a new one.
Other causes of flame failure are;
- Dirty burner: The blast tube and the burner’s flame scrod should be cleaned. If this does not fix the issue, the spark electrode must be checked.
- Ignition failure: Ignition failure that is related to spark electrodes can be fixed by adjusting and cleaning them.
- Clogged diesel oil nozzles: This can be solved by replacing them with new or clean ones.
- Failed solenoid valve: The failed solenoid valve/coil should be replaced.
- Incorrect opening of air damper: The right amount of air may not reach the combustion chamber if the air damper is not properly opening or closing. Check the operation to fix the issue.
2. Sludge oil leak
Sludge oil leaks mostly develop in the combustion chamber’s base plate corners. This is caused because of many reasons such as;
- When the oil burner air damper is not opening properly: Check the opening and closing functions.
- Atomizing valve is closed: Ensure that the atomizing valve is 3/4th open to one full turn.
- Blocked sludge nozzle atomizing slot: Open and clean the sludge nozzle atomizing slot if it has become blocked.
3. Cracks in combustion part refractory
Generally, cracks in the combustion chamber refractory chamber are due to rapid temperature changes that are caused when the sludge tank fills up with water during sludge operation at high temperatures. You must note that the sludge tank should not be filled when the sludge is burning. This problem mainly arises from machinery vibrations. To prevent this good amount of deck support should be reinforced.
4. Leaking mechanical seal
A leaking mechanical seal can be the result of the sludge pump being dry for a good amount of time. Now, if it is required, then the seal should be changed. Further, the accumulation of debris in the sludge can also damage the mechanical seal. If such is the case, then make sure that the system is restarted and lines are flushed and cleaned.
5. High Flue gas temperature
This problem mainly occurs when the temperature sensor becomes faulty. However, there are many other reasons for this problem such as.
- The air-cooling inlet is blocked
- Defective pressure control
- Defective transmitter and inverter
To keep the ship’s incinerator system working optimally all these should be checked regularly, adjusted or replaced as required. So, if you are buying a passenger ferry for sale, then these points can help to keep your ferry’s incinerator in good condition.
Conclusion
Maintaining a ship is difficult if you don’t have an idea of the problem that can arise at anytime. Since the ship is vast, it does not require to be told that the ship owner or official who is responsible to keep the ship in good health needs to keep a tab on the problems that can develop. So, if you are someone who is thinking of buying a passenger ferry for sale, can take note of the types of ship incinerator problems that can arise in this blog, and to know more you can hire a shipbroker.
