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Scientists from the University of Sunderland have led a European Union-funded project to develop a computerised warning sensor that monitors a ship's lubricated systems.
The technology – a black box attached to the ship's engine which works with oil-monitoring software to warn a crew if the lifeblood of their vessel is under threat – was developed as part of a €1.2 million project to develop progressive oil sensors.
It allows lubricated systems, such as a vessel's main propulsion and power generating engines, to be monitored continuously. The technology specifically checks main lube oil properties including viscosity, water-in-oil, base number and impurities, and predicts oil degradation and contamination.
Lube oil is important to propulsion and power generating engines and failure has the potential to put a ship, crew, cargo, and the surrounding environment in danger.
While many of today's ship engine rooms are equipped with sensor systems to track temperature, pressure, and other engine management processes, lube oil monitoring sensors have remained absent from the mix, the researchers behind the new technology said.
Lead researcher Dr David Baglee from the University of Sunderland explained that the main propulsion engine of a ship can circulate 40 tonnes of expensive lube oil. “In addition to its normal in-service ageing, lube oil is exposed to contamination factors, such as fresh and sea water, fuel oil, and the products of combustion from heavy fuel that started its life as refinery waste,” he said.
“Therefore the economics surrounding this vital fluid are significant. While engine spare parts are costly, the penalties of interrupted service for a ship can be crippling, costing millions of pounds everyday a vessel is out of action.”
In addition to avoiding the heavy economic repercussions of vessel failure, the sensor represents a means to safeguard against oil spills at sea.
The software operates like a traffic light system that alerts crews to take remedial action and maintenance measures before any damage, failure or risk can occur. It is also strong enough to withstand a vessel's turbulent operating environment, and does not require specific service or special attention.
Baglee said that the technology had the potential to be applied in many other situations. “This has been a fantastic project, especially as this is the first time Amap, the University of Sunderland's Institute for Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice, [has] been involved in a project with the marine industry.
“It's been exciting and the possibilities for this software are endless. We are even looking at adapting the software for multi-use in other industries such as wind power.”