compressors , and electrical and electronic components , this also makes it a more comfortable place to work for ship employees .
Additionally , heat takes a toll on other components such as generator couplings , belts , motor mounts , as well as batteries . Whenever possible , it ’ s always preferable to locate batteries , particularly the house bank , outside engine compartments . This is an area that needs to be considered when on board as 24V DC power supplies and ATEX requirements in some instances will influence the choice of industrial fan suitable .
Depending on the engine room size and space available for ducts , mechanical ventilation frequently is required to achieve engine manufacturer requirements . Mechanical ventilation should include both inlet , known as supply air , and exhaust air . In the ideal installation , supply air will be ducted into the engine room low , near the interior floors , and away from heat sources , while exhaust air will be drawn from the top of the space , directly over heat producers such as engines . Duct designs should , however , avoid blowing inlet air directly onto engines in that this causes cool air to rapidly heat and be dispersed around the compartment . In many occurrences , high inlet and high exhaust ventilation arrangement is among the least efficient .
One ideal set up is to position high capacity axial fans , to insert both combustion air and cooling air alongside smaller exhaust fans which can be used to pull cooling air only . As an engine room heats up , the exhaust fans duty increases and the resulting depression ramps up the intake fans . Many boats were built previously without adequate engine room ventilation but this should be considered of paramount importance in vessel design and build .
Production Platforms
Power generation on offshore platforms has substantial ventilation requirements . It ’ s often common for an offshore platform to produce its own energy , therefore , providing combustion air for fans within engine room ventilation systems that have been designed and built to remove radiated and convective heat is required . Axial fans such as the ANDB are suitable for use within engine room ventilation .
Offshore and Marine Grade Surface Finish
Industrial fans with special paint grades , coatings or hot dip galvanised processes are often specified in corrosive environments to ensure longevity of the product in use . Offshore and marine environments are classified according to their grade of environmental corrosivity which affects the components used in those environments . Moisture , oxygen , temperature , air pollution and marine atmospheres containing chlorides and dirt etc . affect the rate of corrosion of steel . Corrosion and the degeneration of stainless steel structures such as industrial fans can be limited through correct material selection , organic coating paint , good surface preparation and careful consideration of the corrosivity category .
ISO 12944-5:2007 , describes the types of paint and paint system commonly used for corrosion protection of steel structures such as industrial fans . It also provides guidance for the selection of paint systems available for different environments and different surface preparation grades , and the durability grade to be expected . The durability of paint systems is classified in terms of low , medium and high . Paint grade finishes include C3 for urban and industrial atmospheres , C4 for industrial and coastal areas and C5M for marine , offshore and coastal environments . •
If you are interested in any of the solutions discussed in this article , please contact Axair Fans using the information below to request a quote or to discuss how they can help .
Axair Fans UK Ltd T : + 44 ( 0 ) 1782 349 430 E : sales @ axair-fans . co . uk W : https :// www . axair-fans . co . uk
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