Jul 31 2010
Most engine rooms of ships are now automated, equipped with sensor systems for monitoring pressure, temperature, flow monitoring and fluid level. Nevertheless, lube oil has been difficult to monitor.
The Institute for Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP) team of the Sunderland University has developed a novel software programme meant for the Posseidon system, which is a sensor-based processing unit, which can constantly monitor the lubricated system of the ship, thereby allowing the ship crew to predict any contamination or deterioration in the oil and take necessary action.
The unit looks like a ‘black box’ that is joined to the main engine of the ship. The software of the unit monitors the oil. Reportedly, the unit is likely to enhance the life of the engine, avoid performance loss and possibly prevent catastrophic failures.
The Posseidon Project is composed of a maritime partners consortium namely IB Krates, Rina, International Mercantile Marine (IMM), Oelcheck, Martechnic, BP Marine and Fundación Tekniker. Funding for this project was made by the EU through the Framework Programme 6.
This sensor unit is likely to monitor the lubricating oil’s major properties such as base number, water-in-oil, impurities and viscosity as well as oil degradation.
Source: http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/