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ME169
Steel Ball Soot Cleaning System for Exhaust Gas Economizer
Conveyor Blockage
Technical committee

1. Exhaust gas economizer principal items

Maker: MHI Nagasaki Type: 2-stage pressure type
Evaporation: 6.7 tons

2. Summary
During anchorage, the exhaust gas economizer was washed. However, after departing from port, return of
steel balls no longer functioned satisfactorily. And as the amount of steel balls declined, 625 kg of new
steel balls were added.
However, the decline in amount of steel balls continued, and as exhaust gas economizer differential
pressure increased, the main engine was stopped and the economizer inside and conveyor was
inspected.

3. Breakdown outline
When the conveyor was detached, a mass of steel balls mixed with carbon was blocking the conveyor
entrance which was preventing the sufficient recovery of return balls.

4. Repair
The mass of steel balls was removed and the steel balls accumulated at the conveyor top were recovered.

5. Causes
In the past, after washing the exhaust gas economizer, blockage at the conveyor inlet had occurred
after departure from port. To remove the blockage of steel balls, a notice was posted to successively
operate the blower and conveyor. Although this operation was carried out this time, blockage occurred
nevertheless.
It is surmised that blockage occurred because although washing was carried out, the steel balls adhering to
the inside of the exhaust gas economizer could not be completely returned. After departure from port, balls
coated with damp soot dropped on the top of the conveyor baffle plate and adhered with hardening.; or,
vibration caused the steel balls remaining on the exhaust gas economizer lower hopper to accumulate at
the conveyor entrance where they hardened.

6. Countermeasures
During anchorage, there was also the issue of tank capacity for reserving washing water. It was difficult to
sufficiently ensure an adequate amount of washing water, and as it is predicted that future washing
activities will be insufficient, it was decided that the following countermeasures should be taken.
During exhaust gas economizer washing, although the procedure dictated removal of only the shot
intake and the recovery of steel balls while operating the screw conveyer, in order to make the process of
steel ball return smoother, it was decided to remove the screw conveyer itself from the exhaust gas
economizer and to wash it.

1
The Marine Engineer Aug.1991
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2
The Marine Engineer Aug.1991