Question - Emission Of Flame Has In The Past Caused Severe Burns To Personnel During A Crankcase Explosion, Despite The Addition Of Flame Traps. Discuss The Procedure In The Event Of Overheating Being Indicated ?
Answer -
As the explosion is an uncontrolled event, then great care must be taken to ensure the safety of the engineers within the engine room. MAN B&W recommend that:
- Move away from the crankcase doors immediately
- Reduce speed to slow, and ask the bridge to stop
- When the engine has stopped, close the fuel supply
- Stop the auxiliary blowers
- Open the skylight and/or stores hatch
- Leave the engine room
- Lock engine room entry doors and keep away from them
- Prepare the fire fighting equipment.
- Do not open the crankcase for at least 20 minutes after stopping the engine, and ensure that the oil mist detector alarm (or bearing temperature monitor) has reset
- Stop the LO circulating pump. Shut the starting air, and engage the turning gear.
- Locate the “hot spot” (source of the oil overheating)
- Make a permanent repair to the fault