Calculation and Specification of Compressed Air System
Calculation and Specification of Compressed Air System
Calculation and Specification of Compressed Air System
Prepared by Approved by
Rev. Date Remark Sutopo Purwono Fitri, S.T., M.Eng.,
Intan Larasati
Ph.D.
CALCULATION AND Doc. No 09 - 42 20 SP035 – CA
SPECIFICATION OF
Rev No. 0
COMPRESSED AIR
SYSTEM Page 2 of 9
TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 3
OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................................... 3
REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 3
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................................... 3
CHAPTER DESCRIPTION ....................................................................................................... 4
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................... 4
SUMMARY CALCULATION ..................................................................................................... 8
DETAIL CALCULATION .......................................................................................................... 8
SPECIFICATION OF EQUIPMENTS ......................................................................................... 9
DRAWING OF ARRANGEMENTS ........................................................................................... 9
CALCULATION AND Doc. No 09 - 42 20 SP035 – CA
SPECIFICATION OF
Rev No. 0
COMPRESSED AIR
SYSTEM Page 3 of 9
I. INTRODUCTION
Ship using diesel engine as main engine need some equipment for starting. For
diesel engine which has small dimension, starting can be easily done by electric motor.
Compressed Air System is used to start engines and to provide actuating energy for
safety and control devices. The use of starting air for other purposes is limited by the
classification society. To ensure the functionality of the components in the compressed
air system, the compressed air has to be free from solid particles, water and oil.
For Wartsila 6L26, the starting mechanism is by using direct compressed air
system. Compressed air is pressurized to a certain pressure to be injected to the
combustion chamber to spin the engine until certain speed before fuel can be injected
and then the engine can run by itself. Because of this, compressed air system need to
be installed onboard to support the main engine operation. Pressurized air also used
for automation, blowing for seachest, workshop, hydrophore, and so on.
Compressed Air System is divided into two paths: direct and indirect. Direct system
works by inserting pressurized air directly into the combustion chamber, pressurized
air incorporated during the process, while indirect piston system works by rotating the
flywheel that drives the crankshaft by using electrical motor.
II. OBJECTIVES
The things that we must understand about this document are:
1. To understand the component and equipment of Compressed Air System
2. To understand how to calculate the starting air vessel volume
3. To understand how to calculate the starting air bottle volume
4. To understand how to design Compressed Air demand for engine
III. REFERENCES
1. ClassNK, Part D, Machinery Installation, 2019 Edition
2. Wärtsilä, Marine Solutions. 2018. Product Guide Wärtsilä 26. Vassa: WÄRTSILÄ
FINLAND OY
V. CHAPTER DESCRIPTION
Compressed air main purpose is to supply starting air for the main engine. The
requirement of pressure and its supporting components are described on the Project
Guide.
The components of Compressed Air system are:
Compressor
Filtration Equipment
Condensate trap
Pressure Vessel
Pressure indicator, relief valve for safety equipment
Reducer, and valves.
Compressor works by compressing the air from ambient into the pressure vessel.
Pressure vessel itself is a spherical/tube container to store the compressed air and
maintain pressure at desired point.
Due to humid ambient air, pressurized air can condensate. Because of that the
system need to be fitted with condensate trap. High amount of water vapor can affect
the initial starting combustion, which may damage the engine.
Key
No. Reference Parameter Design
Equipment
2. External Product The design of the starting air system is partly
Compressed Guide determined by classification regulations. Most
Air System Wärtsilä classification societies require that the total
26, capacity is divided into two equally sized starting air
Section 8: receivers and starting air compressors. The
8.2 requirements concerning multiple engine
installations can be subject to special consideration
by the classification society.
The starting air pipes should always be slightly
inclined and equipped with manual or automatic
draining at the lowest points.
Instrument air to safety and control devices must be
treated in an air dryer.
3. Starting Air Product At least two starting air compressors must be
Compressor Guide installed. It is recommended that the compressors
Unit Wärtsilä are capable of filling the starting air vessel from
26, minimum (1.8 MPa) to maximum pressure in 15 to
Section 8: 30 minutes. For exact determination of the
8.2.1 minimum capacity, the rules of the classification
societies must be followed.
4. Starting Air Product The starting air vessels should be dimensioned for
Vessel Guide a nominal pressure of 3 MPa.
Wärtsilä The number and the capacity of the air vessels for
26, propulsion engines depend on the requirements of
Section 8: the classification societies and the type of
8.2.3 installation.
It is recommended to use a minimum air pressure
of 1.8 MPa, when calculating the required volume
of the vessels.
The starting air vessels are to be equipped with at
least a manual valve for condensate drain.
If the air vessels are mounted horizontally, there
must be an inclination of 3 to 5° towards the drain
valve to ensure efficient draining.
The starting air consumption stated in technical
data is for a successful start. During start the main
starting valve is kept open until the engine starts, or
until the max. time for the starting attempt has
elapsed. A failed start can consume two times the
air volume stated in technical data. If the ship has a
CALCULATION AND Doc. No 09 - 42 20 SP035 – CA
SPECIFICATION OF
Rev No. 0
COMPRESSED AIR
SYSTEM Page 6 of 9
Key
No. Reference Parameter Design
Equipment
class notation for unattended machinery spaces,
then the starts are to be demonstrated.
The required total starting air vessel volume can be
calculated using the formula:
Key
No. Reference Parameter Design
Equipment
the above mentioned device may be omitted for
engines having cylinder bore not exceeding
230mm.
(3) An adequate rupture disc device is to be fitted at
an appropriate position on the starting air manifold
as an emergency means of relieving a pressure
caused by explosion for direct reversing engines
fitted with flame arresters in accordance with (2)
above.
(4) For rupture disc devices of which ruptured discs
cannot be easily replaced, a mechanism of blocking
up the exhaust way is to be provided for the purpose
of quick restart of the engine. This blocking
mechanism is to be fitted with a means of indicating
whether it is blocking or not.
(5) An effective arrangement to prevent the
accumulation of combustibles (fuel oil, lubrication
oil, system oil, etc.) in the starting air manifold or to
prevent the excessive temperature rise in the
starting air manifold is to be provided for direct
reversing engines.
7. Number of ClassNK 2 Where main propulsion engines are arranged for
Start of Part D, starting by compressed air, at least two starting air
Engines Chapter reservoirsare to be provided. These reservoirs are to
2: 2.5.3.2 be connected so that usage can be readily switched
(1), (2) from one to the other. In this case, the total capacity
of the starting air reservoirs is to be sufficient to
provide, without replenishment, the number of
consecutive starts not less than that specified in (1),
(2) and (3) below. Where the arrangements of the
main propulsion engines and shafting systems are
other than shown below, the required number of
starts is to be as deemed appropriate by the Society.
(1) For direct reversible engines
Z = 12C
where
Z : Total number of starts of engine
C : Constant determined by the arrangement of
main propulsion engines and shafting systems,
where the following values are to be referred to as
the standard;
CALCULATION AND Doc. No 09 - 42 20 SP035 – CA
SPECIFICATION OF
Rev No. 0
COMPRESSED AIR
SYSTEM Page 8 of 9
Key
No. Reference Parameter Design
Equipment
C = 1.0 For single screw ships, where one engine is
either coupled with the shaft directly or through
reduction gears.
C = 1.5 For twin screw ships, where two engines are
either coupled with the shafts directly or through
reduction gear. Or, for single screw ships, where two
engines are coupled with the shaft through
declutchable coupling provided between engine
and reduction gear.
C = 2.0 For single screw ships, where two engines
are coupled with one shaft without any declutchable
coupling between engine and reduction gear.
(2) For non-reversible type engines using a separate
reversing gear or controllable pitch propeller, 1/2 of
the total number of starts specified in (1) above may
be accepted.
X. DRAWING OF ARRANGEMENTS
See attachment of Dwg, No. 07 – 42 20 SP035 – CA
ENGINE ROOM LAYOUT (MACHINERY SYSTEM)
DOUBLE DEGREE ON MARINE ENGINEERING
ITS – HOCSCHULE WISMAR
Prepared by Approved by
Rev. Date Remark Sutopo Purwono Fitri, S.T., M.Eng.,
Intan Larasati
Ph.D.
ATTACHMENT OF Doc. No 08- 42 20 SP035 – CA
COMPRESSED AIR Rev No. 0
SYSTEM Page 2 of 11
The required total starting air vessel volume can be calculated using the formula:
𝑃𝐸 × 𝑉𝐸 × 𝑛
𝑉𝑅 =
𝑃𝑅𝑚𝑎𝑥 −𝑃𝑅𝑚𝑖𝑛
Where:
VR = total starting air vessel volume (m3)
PE = normal barometric pressure (NTP condition), which is 0.1 MPa
VE = air consumption per start (Nm3), according to Wartsila 6L26 Technical
data, which is 1.4 Nm3
PRmax = maximum starting air pressure, which is 3 MPa
PRmin = minimum starting air pressure, according to Wartsila 6L26 Technical
data, which is 1.4 MPa
ATTACHMENT OF Doc. No 08- 42 20 SP035 – CA
COMPRESSED AIR Rev No. 0
SYSTEM Page 3 of 11
12 × 1
𝑧=
2
𝒛 =𝟔
𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑉𝑅 :
0.1 × 1.4 𝑁𝑚 3 × 6
𝑉𝑅 =
3 𝑀𝑃𝑎 − 1.4 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝑽𝑹 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟐𝟓 𝒎𝟑
ATTACHMENT OF Doc. No 08- 42 20 SP035 – CA
COMPRESSED AIR Rev No. 0
SYSTEM Page 4 of 11
The total air volume above shall be divided into two equally sized of starting air vessels. So:
Wartsila 26 Project Guide, Starting Air Vessel, Page 75
The total volume of each air receiver is :
VAR = VR /2
= 0.525 / 2 = 0.2625 m3
= 262.5 liter
Air Vessel selection
Based on the calculation above, choosen an air reciever with spesification:
Merk : Atlas Copco
Capacity : 500 liter
Pressure : 33 bar
The total vessel volume shall be divided into at least two equally sized starting air
vessels. So, the selected Air Bottle will have capacity of 0.525 m3 or equal to 500L.
2.2 Starting Air Compressor
ClassNK Part D Section 2.5.3 requires a minimum of 2 compressor to be installed
Based on Wartsila W26 Project Guide, the starting air compressor should be capable
of filling the starting air vessel from minimum (1.8 MPa) to maximum pressure (3 MPa)
in 15 to 30 minutes.
Because the engine maker doesn’t specify the required capacity, so the capacity of
the compressor will be calculated with General Gas Equation, as follows.
𝑃. 𝑉 = 𝑛. 𝑅. 𝑇
𝑉 = 𝑃 / (𝑛. 𝑅. 𝑇)
Where:
P = total pressure to be filled (Pa)
V = specific air volume (to be found)
n = number of air molecules
R = Boltzmann Constant (8.314 J/K.mol)
T = working temperature in Kelvins (assume ambient air of 25°C, or 298K)
𝑽 = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟖𝟒𝟗𝟕𝟒𝟒𝟐𝟐 𝒎𝟑
Assume the volume above is to be filled within 30 minutes, so the capacity required
for the compressor is as follows.
𝑄 = 𝑉/𝑇
𝑸 = 𝟐𝟑. 𝟔𝟗𝟗 𝒎𝟑 /𝒉
3. Air Pipe
Based on Wartsila W26 Project Guide, the air pipe used is DN40. So, based on the
requirement, then the pipe selected with following specification:
Air Pipe Specification
Outside diameter : 48.6 mm
Wall thickness : 3.5 mm
Inside diameter : 41.6 mm
Nominal pipe size : 40A
Standard : JIS G3452
ATTACHMENT OF Doc. No 08- 42 20 SP035 – CA
COMPRESSED AIR Rev No. 0
SYSTEM Page 6 of 11
4. Equipment Specification
4.1 Starting Air Vessel
Requirement:
Volume = 0.525 m3
= 262.5 L
Pressure = 3 MPa
= 30 bar
Selected:
Brand = Atlas Copco
Type = Starting air Receiver 500L Model
Amount = 2 units
Volume = 500 L
Max. pressure = 33 bar
ATTACHMENT OF Doc. No 08- 42 20 SP035 – CA
COMPRESSED AIR Rev No. 0
SYSTEM Page 7 of 11
ATTACHMENT OF Doc. No 08- 42 20 SP035 – CA
COMPRESSED AIR Rev No. 0
SYSTEM Page 8 of 11