Ship power equipment
Ships must be equipped with a complete set of power plants and auxiliary equipment that meet the requirements of the regulations before they can navigate on water. These power devices include marine main power device, auxiliary power device, steam boiler, refrigeration and air conditioning device, compressed air device, marine pump and Plumbing, water making device and automation system. This electromechanical power equipment is mainly concentrated in the engine room, and the technical department responsible for managing these equipment is the Engine Department.
1. Main power device
The main power device of a ship, also known as the “main engine”, is the heart of the ship and the most important part of the ship’s power equipment, mainly including:
(1) Ship’s main engine
A common term for an engine that can generate propulsion power for ships, including various pumps, heat exchangers, and piping systems that serve the main engine. At present, the main engine of commercial ships is marine diesel engines, followed by steam turbines.
(2) Transmission device
The equipment that transmits the power of the main engine to the thruster not only transmits power, but also plays a role in deceleration and shock absorption. Small boats can also use transmission equipment to change the direction of rotation of the thruster. The transmission equipment varies slightly due to different types of main engines, and generally consists of reducers, clutches, couplings, thrust bearings, and ship shafts.
(3) Shafting and thrusters
Among ship propellers, propellers are the most widely used, mostly using fixed or adjustable pitch propellers; The ship shaft system is a device that transmits the power emitted by the main engine to the propeller. The main engine of the ship drives the propeller to rotate and generate thrust through the transmission device and shaft system, overcoming the resistance of the hull to move the ship forward or backward.
2. Auxiliary power unit
Ship auxiliary power device, also known as “auxiliary engine”, refers to the generator on board the ship, which provides electrical energy for the ship in normal and emergency situations. The ship’s power station is composed of electromechanical equipment such as engine sets and distribution boards.
(1) Generator set
The prime power is mainly provided by the diesel engine. Considering the safety and reliability of the ship and the simplicity of maintenance and management, large ships are equipped with at least two Diesel generator of the same model, which can generate power simultaneously as required.
In order to save energy, during navigation, some ships can use the transmission shaft of the main engine to drive the generator to generate electricity (shaft generator) or use the waste heat from the main exhaust gas to generate low-pressure steam to drive the steam turbine generator set to generate electricity.
(2) Distribution board
It distributes, controls, transports, transformers, and converts electricity to meet the needs of various electrical traction equipment and the entire ship’s daily life, lighting, signaling, and communication.
3. Steam boiler
Ships with diesel engines as the main engine need to be equipped with steam boilers, which are composed of auxiliary fuel oil boilers, exhaust gas boilers, and supporting piping and equipment. Auxiliary oil boilers are used to supply auxiliary steam on board ships, such as heating fuel and lubricating oil, heating, domestic water, kitchen, boiling water, etc., and to meet the needs of steam for some auxiliary engines. In order to save energy, the exhaust gas boiler during navigation uses the residual heat from the diesel engine exhaust to generate steam, and only uses auxiliary fuel boilers during berthing.
4. Refrigeration and air conditioning equipment
The installation of refrigeration devices on ships involves refrigerated transportation of goods, refrigeration of a certain amount of food, and improvement of the living and working conditions of crew and passengers. The task of air conditioning devices is to maintain a climate suitable for people’s work and life in the cabin, including cooling and dehumidification in summer, heating and humidification in winter, and ventilation and ventilation throughout the year. Its main equipment includes refrigeration compressors, evaporators, condensers, air conditioners, and their automation control components.
5. Compressed air device
Generally, ships are equipped with multiple air compressors and compressed air cylinders to supply the compressed air required for the entire ship, such as using compressed air to start the main and auxiliary diesel engines; Host commutation; Provide air source for equipment such as air whistle and deck pneumatic machinery. Its main equipment includes air compressors, gas storage cylinders, piping systems, safety and control components, etc.