An internal combustion engine is a machine that converts fuel and combustion air into mechanical energy. These two fluids must be conditioned to enter the cylinders. In addition, in order to operate, this machine must be able to be started, lubricated, cooled, decontaminated, maintained, which requires the addition of various systems which are materialized by specific circuits and their equipment.
The article reviews the auxiliary circuits of liquid and gaseous fluids, which are essential to the operation of the heavy 2-stroke engine, also called slow engine, in maritime application and which are arranged in the engine room near it. They are remarkably more numerous and more complex than the circuits of a car! Unlike the latter, there are several oil circuits, several water circuits and several air or gas circuits which each have their own functions.
Principle fluid diagrams are given, together with a description of the main equipment usually found on these circuits. Some of these are already well known to operators of medium-speed engines, due to the use of the same fuels, in the same environment (HFO, marine). The last chapter deals with exhaust gas pollution control systems as well as the recovery of energy which can be carried out mainly from the heat of these gases.
L’article [BM 2 653] presents elements on the market and the market volumes of these engines, as well as a detailed description of their mechanical constitution.
The reader will find at the end of the article a glossary of terms, acronyms and important expressions of the article.
