1. What is the purpose of a fuel oil booster pump?

The purpose of fuel oil booster pump is to increase the pressure of the fuel
which is to be supplied to the engine and also to make sure there is a positive
supply of fuel feed at the engine inlet. This pressure helps in recirculation of
heavy fuel oil in the fuel injector.

2. What is the function of a mixing column in the fuel oil circuit?

This can also be called as buffer column. The purpose is to mix the old oil and
the new oil which is coming into the system. In case of any emergency like fire
the quick closing valves of the fuel oil service tanks will be operated so that
there is no more fuel taken from the service tanks. In such case the oil in the
buffer column will help avoid a black out condition.

3. State whether true or false and justify your answer:

a) F.O transfer pump takes suction from the fuel oil double bottom tank-
True. The purpose of the transfer pump is to transfer the fuel from double
bottom tank to the Fuel oil settling tank.
b) Fuel oil DB tanks have steam heating coils-True. The oil will become very
thick in cold areas because of which it is difficult for the pump to take suction
and to transfer. So to keep the oil in liquid state and to be pumped we have
steam heating coils which will heat the fuel when steam is passed into the
steam heating coils.

4. What is the required temperature of fuel oil before engine inlet and why?
The required temperature of fuel oil before engine inlet is 135 deg C. Only at
135 deg C the fuel will have 10-15cst viscosity which is required for proper
atomization and complete combustion.
5. Name four different types of pumps that you are aware of?

Reciprocating pump
Positive displacement pumps
Pumps Rotary pump
Rotodynamic pumps

Axial flow pump Radial flow pump

6. What is a duplex filter and why is such an arrangement made?

It is a filter which has two filters and only one in use at a time. When the filter
which is in use gets dirty, without stopping the system, other filter can be put
into use and the dirty filter can be cleaned when the system is in operation
itself and kept as standby.

7. What do you understand by the term “priming” of a filter?

Priming of a filter means filling the filter with the system fluid so that air is
removed completely from the filter unit.

8. How would you detect a choked suction strainer?

Choked suction strainer can be detected using the suction side compound
gauge and using the delivery side pressure gauge.

9. Why are magnetic filters provided in FO systems?

Magnetic filters are provided in the Fuel oil systems to remove the metals particles
which otherwise can do damages to the machinery components.

10. State whether true or false and justify your answer:

a) All FO systems have a relief valve incorporated in the system-True. The
pumps used in fuel oil systems are positive displacement pumps. So any system
which has positive displacement pumps should have a relief valve as the liquid is
incompressible.
 b) Viscotherm is used to measure the temperature-False. Viscotherm is used to
measure the viscosity of the system fluid.

11. State whether true or false and justify your answer:

a) Heavy oil is the preferred fuel for Marine engines because it is: (i)
inexpensive
(ii) easily available (iii) both the above.
Answer-iii
b) Heavy oil purification is carried out on board using:
(i) Gravitational filtering (ii) heating (iii) centrifuging (iv) all the above.
Answer-iv

12. State whether true or false and justify your answer:

a) High viscosity of fuel affects its proper atomization in the combustion
chamber-True. High viscosity fuel will form bigger particles which will
lead to incomplete combustion and black smoke.
b) A Viscometer uses differential pressure to measure fuel viscosity-True.
Working on differential pressure is the basic principle of viscometer
working.

13. Viscosity of fuel oil is measured in:

(i) meters/sec (ii) Newton/kg (iii) Centistokes (iv) sec Redwood @
degrees F
Answer-iii

14. State whether true or false and justify your answer:

a) FQS is used to improve engine performance when using poorer Grades
of Fuel Oils- True. Poorer Grade fuel will have more ignition delay. In
this case we can manually adjust the FQS(Fuel Quality Setting) of the
VIT(Variable Injection Timing) System so that injection of fuel is
advanced.

b) A purifier is used to remove solid particles from a liquid-False. Clarifier

is the one to remove solid particles from a liquid.
15. Expand the terms FQS and VIT when applied to Marine Diesel Engines.
FQS-Fuel Quality Setting
VIT-Variable Injection Timing

16. State whether true or false and justify your answer:

a) A purifier has only a single liquid outlet-False. Purifier has two liquid
outlets. One for the clean liquid outlet and another one for the water
outlet.
b) A purifier separates heavy liquid from a light liquid-True. Heavy density
liquid will be removed while the lighter density liquid is separated and
sent to the service tank.

17. State whether true or false and justify your answer:

a) A clarifier separates solids particles from a liquid-True. Clarifier can only
separate solid particles from liquid but it cannot separate two different
density liquids like a purifier.
b) De-sludging intervals is not required for purifiers-False. De-sludging
intervals are required as the removed solid particles and the water
separated from the fuel will occupy inside the purifier hence not allowing
the new feed to get inside and also purification will not be efficient.
Unit – III Section B – 16 Mark Questions

1. a) Sketch and describe a fuel oil transfer system of a motor vessel.

b) Sketch a heavy oil settling tank showing all connections and explain what types
of Valves are used for outlets from the tanks.

The valves used for outlet of tanks are a quick closing non return valve.
 2. a) With a line diagram describe a typical Fuel Oil system used for a slow
speed diesel Engine burning Heavy Fuel Oil.

b) Why is it necessary to prepare a Residual Fuel Oil before it is fed to a

diesel engine?
Residual fuel oil is a very poor quality fuel. We should prepare the residual
fuel oil by removing the sludge and water content present in the fuel and then
heat the fuel to get the required viscosity so that the residual fuel oil burns
completely inside the engine without producing any carbon deposits or black
smoke.
3. a) Sketch and describe a fuel oil purification system used on a ships?

b) Write brief notes about the Fuel oil service tank?

Fuel oil service tank contains only the required quality of fuel ready for
immediate use. Two oil fuel service tanks, for each type of fuel used on board,
necessary for propulsion and generator systems, are to be provided. Each tank
is to have a capacity for at least eight hours operation.
4. a) Sketch a duplex filter and name the parts.
PURGING COCK

CAST STEEL BODY

FILTER

T PIPE CONNECTION

b) What do you understand by the term priming of filters and pumps?

Priming of a filter or the pump means filling the filter or the pump with the
system fluid so that air is removed completely from the filter unit. When air is
present in the system then the pump will lose suction leading to non-flow or
no outlet which results in further damages to the pump itself and to the other
machinery components.
 5. Sketch and describe fuel oil service system for main engine and auxiliary engine
showing diesel oil changeover systems

MIXING
COLUMN

Pr control
v/v
BOOSTER PUMP

MAIN ENGINE

PRESSURE
CONTROL
VALVE
6. Sketch and describe the principle of operation of different types of flow meter
used to measure fuel oil flow?
Orifice Plate
With an orifice plate, the fluid flow is measured through the difference in
pressure from the upstream side to the downstream side of a partially
obstructed pipe. The plate obstructing the flow offers a precisely measured
obstruction that narrows the pipe and forces the flowing fluid to constrict.

Venturi Tube
In the Venturi Tube the fluid flow rate is measured by reducing the cross
sectional flow area in the flow path, generating a pressure difference. After the
constricted area, the fluid is passes through a pressure recovery exit section,
where up to 80% of the differential pressure generated at the constricted
area, is recovered.
Variable Area Flow meter or Rota meter
The rota meter consists of a vertically oriented glass (or plastic) tube with a
larger end at the top, and a metering float which is free to move within the
tube. Fluid flow causes the float to rise in the tube as the upward pressure
differential and buoyancy of the fluid overcome the effect of gravity.
The float rises until the annular area between the float and tube increases
sufficiently to allow a state of dynamic equilibrium between the upward
differential pressure and buoyancy factors, and downward gravity factors.

The height of the float is an indication of the flow rate. The tube can be
calibrated and graduated in appropriate flow units.

Calorimetric Flow meter

The calorimetric principle for fluid flow measurement is based on two
temperature sensors in close contact with the fluid but thermal insulated from
each other.

One of the two sensors is constantly heated and the cooling effect of the
flowing fluid is used to monitor the flow rate. In a stationary (no flow) fluid
condition there is a constant temperature difference between the two
temperature sensors. When the fluid flow increases, heat energy is drawn
from the heated sensor and the temperature difference between the sensors
are reduced. The reduction is proportional to the flow rate of the fluid.

Turbine Flow meter

If a fluid moves through a pipe and acts on the vanes of a turbine, the turbine
will start to spin and rotate. The rate of spin is measured to calculate the flow.
Electromagnetic Flow meter
An electromagnetic flow meter operates on Faraday's law of electromagnetic
induction that states that a voltage will be induced when a conductor moves
through a magnetic field. The liquid serves as the conductor and the magnetic
field is created by energized coils outside the flow tube.

The voltage produced is directly proportional to the flow rate. Two electrodes
mounted in the pipe wall detect the voltage.

Mass Flow meters

Mass meters measure the mass flow rate directly.
7. a) Sketch and describe a quick closing valve used on a fuel oil system? Mention
why it is needed on ships and how it is operated on ships?
1. Body
2. Seat ring
3. Disc
4. Spring, release unit
5. Gasket
6. O-ring
7. Screw
8. Bonnet
9. Setting nut
10. Stem
11. Hand wheel
12. Release cylinder

Operation-

The controlling system has a cylinder with a piston inside the cylinder and the
piston moves to the left when the pressurized air is given. As the piston has a
pin at the end, it holds the securing nut at the top hence the valve is kept open.
When the pressurized air is given inside the cylinder, the piston is pushed to
the left and making the securing nut to be left free. Since the valve is a spring
loaded valve, the valve automatically closes shutting the liquid flow from the
tank.

Purpose of quick closing valves-

Quick Closing Valves are positive shut off valves that are designed to isolate
oil tanks in the event of a fire and also prevent fuelling of a fire in
circumstances where system piping and components are compromised.
These valves are designed to be remotely operated, and are also capable of
being operated and reset locally. Inoperable QCVs can put the vessel and its
crew at greater risk in the event of a fire and it is absolutely critical that they
operate correctly, are properly maintained, and ready for use at all times.
Adequate knowledge, training, instructions and stocks of replacement spares
and must be provided to ship's staff to ensure the reliability of the remote
operating arrangements. Intentionally blocking or disabling these valves is
unacceptable under any circumstance.
 b) Mention the method used to make fuel oil suitable for use in a Marine Diesel
Engine? Why is this treatment necessary?
Methods to make fuel oil suitable for use in a marine diesel engine-
1. Allowing time to settle and remove the water and solid particles from the
settling tank.
2. Heating the liquid which helps in creating more density difference between
the water and the fuel which can be used in the purifier for purification.
3. Hot filter which removes the catalytic fines before allowing the fuel to be
sent to the engine.

Residual fuel oil is a very poor quality fuel. We should prepare the residual
fuel oil by removing the sludge and water content present in the fuel and then
heat the fuel to get the required viscosity so that the residual fuel oil burns
completely inside the engine without producing any carbon deposits or black
smoke.
8. a) Why is it necessary to take precautions before entering a FO or water
Ballast Tank?
Both the FO tanks and the Ballast tanks are not normally opened on a regular
basis. During dry docking time both the fuel oil tanks and the ballast tanks are
opened up for cleaning and inspection. Since these tanks are not opened for a
very long period they will not have sufficient oxygen for the person entering
that particular tank. So without making sure whether the oxygen level is safe
to enter we cannot enter.

These tanks will not have lighting. So we cannot enter a tank without proper
lightings and illuminations as we might get hurt without lights.

The tanks will create slippage for the entering human. So we need to make
sure that we wear appropriate shoes which will give us a proper grip while
walking inside the tanks.

(b) Draw up a check list of tasks to be carried out before entering and
during cleaning FO tank.
1. Drain all the contents of FO Tank completely and make sure that the tank is
empty.
2. Open the FO Tank manhole door slowly confirming that there is no oil
inside the FO Tank.
3. Ventilate the tank properly using a portable blower till the time the
atmosphere of the FO Tank is safe for the person to enter.
4. Check the contents of oxygen, H2S gas, flammable vapors and CO2 using
multi gas detector.
5. When the levels are within limits arrange proper lightings inside the tank.
6. Appropriate fire extinguishers to be standby before entering.
7. Steam connections to be closed and blanked. Make sure proper signs and
placards are displayed so that nobody opens the valve unknowingly.
8. One person should always be standby outside the manhole door and should
be in communication with the person inside.
9. The person standing outside the tank should continuously communicate
with person inside and with the duty officer.
10. In case of hot work to be carried out, a fire line is to be carried inside.
11. Contents of the tank to be checked continuously as long as the person is
present inside the tank.
12. Once the multi gas detector detects something abnormal then the person
present inside should immediately exit the tank.

9. a) Define viscosity? What is the normal range of viscosity of fuel oil at

injection?
Viscosity of a fluid is a measure of its resistance to its own flow.
The normal range of viscosity of fuel oil at injection is 12-15 centistokes. Only
at this range of viscosity the fuel will be atomized efficiently hence proper
combustion, good power produced and less consumption of fuel.

b) Sketch and describe the working of a viscosity measuring device used

onboard?

The basic principle of the Viscotherm viscosity monitoring device or viscosity

controller is shown in the figure below. A continuous sample of the fuel is
pumped at a constant rate through a fine capillary tube. As the flow through
the tube is laminar, pressure drop across the tube is proportional to viscosity.
In this viscosity controller unit an electric motor drives the gear pump
through a reduction gear at a speed of 40 rpm. The pump is positioned in the
chamber through which fuel is passing from the heater to the fuel pumps or
combustion equipment. Tapping points are provided to enable the pressure
difference to be measured by means of a differential pressure gauge. The
gauge is calibrated directly in terms of viscosity. Parts in contact with the fuel
are of stainless steel for corrosive resistance.