RETURN

ME111

Blackout Caused by FO Strainer Clogging

Technical committee

1. Outline

One hour after the FO line was switched to emergency Marine Diesel Oil (A oil) line to perform work on
generator A-C blender, the operating unit issued FO secondary filter differential pressure alarm. By
backwashing, the differential pressure was temporarily restored to normal, but in 30 minutes, the same
alarm sounded, and the unit stopped, causing blackout. A stand-by unit backed up immediately, but it also
stopped in about 30 minutes to start blackout. The ships power was completely lost.

2. Overhaul Inspection of Filter

Overhaul of the concerned filter revealed that the element had been completely clogged and a large
amount of soft sludge was deposited inside the filter.

3. Repair, Cause, etc.

Work on A-C blender was suspended and A oil was bypassed to blender line to resume operation. After
repeated cleaning of filter element, operation was restored to stable in approx. four hours.
Normally, this A oil emergency line is not used. The fuel that was left in the said line, especially in the
return chamber, without being used over an extended period of time, caused sludge to form, and when the
emergency line was used by chance for work of this time, sludge flowed into the strainer continuously to
clog the strainer and line, which eventually led to a blackout.
Some A oils available recently lack storage stability over an extended period of time. Thus, it is necessary
to use the emergency line at appropriate times to replace A oil in the return chamber, in order to prevent
accidents.

1
The Marine Engineer Jun.1989