EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION
Fans for Marine and Offshore Industries
Offshore oil and gas platforms incorporate a wide range of fan applications from production areas , power generation and compressor cooling . Offshore sites are built to withstand the harsh and corrosive environments in which they ’ re situated , and therefore components within systems must be suitable for purpose . Where hazardous gases are present , ATEX variants are required and should be specified by the system manufacturer ’ s maintenance manuals to advise the zone that the components should be certified to . Corrosion resistant fans that are open to the external elements should be used , special paint grades are available depending on the corrosively of the environment . This extends the life of the components and ensures the optimum performance level .
Offshore Applications Gas Turbine Enclosures
Gas turbine enclosures often feature a single fan ventilation system : Enclosure ventilation is provided by a single motor-driven fan . This motor is typically 3-phase AC , high efficiency , with Class F insulation . The fan is sized to provide the airflow required to ensure that the internal air temperature around the enclosed equipment remains within acceptable limits . Sometimes , for additional ventilation or certification requirements , a dual fan ventilation system may be required . Given that the turbine contains gas , the main aim is to reduce the risk developed from a build-up of hazardous gases by effectively ventilating , ATEX cased axial fans for both supply and exhaust of these gases are often used .
Compressor Cooling Enclosures
There are two situations that can greatly reduce an engines life and efficiency ; the use of dirty fuel and inadequate engine room ventilation and ventilation of engine components . In
38 short , engines that ingest cool air burn more efficiently than those that ingest warm air . Engines produce a lot of heat , that ’ s how they operate and how they produce power . They must be adequately cooled to provide ample ventilation for continued operation . The warmer an engine room is , the harder it is on the components and systems housed there ; heat encourages accelerated aging , higher failure rates , and greater operating expense due to the system working less efficient . In addition to this , and of importance to both builders and end users , the failure to meet engine manufacturer temperature guidelines can result in denial of warranty coverage for the engine or generator .
All but the smallest engine and engine room installations will almost certainly require some form of mechanical ventilation . Centrifugal fans rated for continuous duty are the most common type of industrial fan used to fulfil this requirement .
Why Is There A Need For Engine Room Ventilation ?
Engine room ventilation falls into two categories , those required for cooling the space , and those needed for combustion . The air used to cool the compartment improves not only the combustion efficiency , but also the longevity and efficiency of gear in this space , including engines , generators ,