The quality of air present onboard is of vital importance to both ships crew and its

machinery systems. Most of the ships systems use air for operation in one or the
other way. Quality of air intake by ships machinery systems play a major role
in deciding the performance and maintenance criteria of the machine.

In this article we have provided a general overview about ten harmful effects
of impure air on ships machinery systems:
1. Poor Ventilation Harms Machinery: The engine room ventilation is the
main consumer of intake air for all machinery systems located inside it. If the
intake air is of poor quality, the performance of machinery systems can be
severely affected. Special care must be taken especially in dry dock when
blasting of hull is carried out. Precautions should also be taken while loading
cargo with abrasive dust as ventilation fans will suck dust inside the engine
room and these abrasive particles are very harmful for machinery such as
turbochargers, compressors etc.

2. Reduced Compressor Performance: Hot or contaminated intake air can

impair compressor performance and result in excess labour and maintenance
costs. If moisture, dust, or other contaminants are present in the intake air,
such contaminants can build up on the internal components of the
compressor such as valves, impellers, rotors, and vanes, leading to premature
wear and reduced compressor capacity.
Read: 5 Compressor Problems Marine Engineers Must Know
3. Marine Engine Air Explosion: Excess oil in the starting air bottle will be
transferred to the starting air manifold of the marine engine system, which
may lead to explosion if the air start valve is leaking and which is an excellent
heat source for completing the fire triangle. Read more on air line explosion
here.
4. Marine Engine Improper Combustion: If the temperature of intake air is
very low or if the air contains moisture, it will lead to bad combustion and
result in air pollution even when the fuel system and injection parts of the
marine engine are working properly.
Read: 8 Ways To Achieve Efficient Combustion In Marine Engines
5. Erratic Engine Control System: The main engine automation system
comprises of engine control system with electro-pneumatic controls. The
command is given from the engine control room via electronic system and
later converted to pneumatic signals which locally operate the engine from
support of various other parts. If the quality of control air is poor (oil, moisture,
dust etc.), the response of the engine room signal will be erratic, leading to
inefficient operation or even emergency situation during critical manoeuvring
operation.

6. Damage the Turbocharger: Turbocharger fitted in main and auxiliary

engines take air suction from atmosphere. If basic filtration methods are not
maintained or when the intake air quality is very bad, downfall in the
turbocharger performance can be expected along with mechanical problems
in compressor blades and choked nozzles. Moreover, if the air contains
abrasive particles, it may even damage or break the turbine blades.
Read: 10 Points On Efficient Turbocharger Operation
7. Sluggish Operation Of Control Valves: Air is also used to operate
control valves in various engine room systems such as boiler, jacket water,
sea water system etc. If the air consists of any type of impurity, the diaphragm
inside the valve will be affected, leading to stuck up and sluggish operation.

8. Failure Of Level Gauges: Pneumatic level gauges are used in those tanks
which are graded intrinsically safe. Normally a pressure transducer is used in
the level measuring system which is supplied with air in the pressure range of
1 to 7 bar. Poor quality of air containing oil and dust may lead to erratic level
response or complete failure in reading the actual level.
9. Failure Of Safety Systems: Many safety systems on ships such as funnel
flaps, fire dampers, quick closing valves etc. are air operated. If the quality of
air operating these system/ equipment is poor, the use of such equipment in
emergency may lead to deteriorated operational condition or stuck up of the
equipment which can be extremely dangerous in the emergency situation.
10. Improper Firing Operation In Boiler: Boiler in the ships engine room
provides steam an essential aspect of machinery operations on board.
During boiler operation, control air is used to provide signals. If the air used for
this operation is impure, the firing operation of the burner would be severely
affected, causing black smoke and reduced in performance of the boiler.

Seafarers working on ships must take necessary precautions to ensure that

the quality of air supplied to all machinery systems on board is clean and
devoid of impurities.