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ME102

Exhaust Gas Economizer Soot Fire Accident

Technical committee

1. Summary
After anchoring offshore and subsequently shifting to shore, about 2 hours after F/E, a rise in boiler
pressure and blowing steam out from safety valve occurred (boiler water circulating pump was in
continuous operation).
About 2 hours after blowing steam out from safety valve occurred, the boiler water level and cascade tank
water level reached low levels.
Later, from the main engine exhaust pipe gas seal tank and supercharger drain pipe and also from the
exhaust pipe expansion joint was discovered. At the time broken hole of the fin tube was realized, and the
operating boiler water circulating pump was stopped.
Using the exhaust gas economizer soot blower, fire extinguishing was conducted via steam blowing.

2. Damage conditions
There were 2 locations of broken hole and leakage (evaporating part). Although molten fin tube iron was
not dripping down, the fin tubes of the evaporating part and preheated part had incurred much heat
deformation. Heat deformation was also confirmed to the uppermost casing support, preheating part,
evaporating fin tube, beam support, and upper port-side casing. The deformation is indicative of the
application of substantial degree heat.

3. Repair
Although there were only 2 locations of broken hole on the evaporator part, to be on the safe side, 2 rows
on each side of the locations were added totaling to 6 rows (12 tubes), and considering the upper- side and
lower-side, 24 location in all, were cut off at the header part and blind patch welding was conducted.

4. Causes and countermeasures

It is necessary to pay attention to the damaged area of the fin tube caused by the soot fire even though the
boiler circulating pump was operating after anchorage.
It is surmised that the fire was caused by deficiency of circulating water, which acts as a cooling medium,
in contrast to the amount of generated heat due to soot combustion. It is also necessary to consider aging of
the circulating water line. To counter soot accumulation, sufficient washing was conducted at 20~30 day
intervals, economizer manometer before entering port was about 55 ~ 56mmAq, and the amount of buildup
was not very large.

1
The Marine Engineer Jan.1989