Reliability Assessment of Main Engine Subsystems Considering Turbocharger Failure as a Case Study

• Main Authors: Mohan Anantharaman, Faisal Khan, Vikram Garaniya, Barrie Lewarn
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Gdynia Maritime University 2018-06-01
• Series: TransNav: International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation
• Subjects: Main Engine; Main Propulsion; Turbocharger; Turbocharger Failure; Main Propulsion Engine; Markov Model; Weibull Failure Model; Reliability
• Online Access: http://www.transnav.eu/files/Reliability Assessment of Main Engine Subsystems Considering Turbocharger Failure as a Case Study,809.pdf

Safe operation of a merchant vessel is dependent on the reliability of the vessel’s main propulsion engine. Reliability of the main propulsion engine is interdependent on the reliability of several subsystems including lubricating oil system, fuel oil system, cooling water system and scavenge air system. Turbochargers form part of the scavenge sub system and play a vital role in the operation of the main engine. Failure of turbochargers can lead to disastrous consequences and immobilisation of the main engine. Hence due consideration need to be given to the reliability assessment of the scavenge system while assessing the reliability of the main engine. This paper presents integration of Markov model (for constant failure components) and Weibull failure model (for wearing out components) to estimate the reliability of the main propulsion engine. This integrated model will provide more realistic and practical analysis. It will serve as a useful tool to estimate the reliability of the vessel’s main propulsion engine and make efficient and effective maintenance decisions. A case study of turbocharger failure and its impact on the main engine is also discussed.