1. Remote marine lube oil diagnosis using intelligent sensor systems
Dr. M Knowles and Dr. D Baglee
Institute for Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP), University of Sunderland
Marine Maintenance Technology Conference th – 16th October 2014: Brussels, Belgium

2. Presentation Outline Background to project POSSEIDON project
RCM for guiding future development
Potential further research directions

3. Marine Lubricating Oil Condition Monitoring
The primary purposes of oil are to reduce friction in moving components and to prevent metal to metal contact.
Oil can also be used as a means of transporting and removing wear particles and heat and transmitting power in hydraulic systems.
Analysing oil not only allows the condition of the oil to be managed but also allows other faults in mechanical systems to be detected.

4. Onboard Test Kits Advantages: Disadvantages: Immediate Results
Risk of Contamination

5. Onshore Laboratory Testing
Advantages:
Wide range of tests available
High accuracy
Disadvantages:
Long lead time

6. Posseidon
The Posseidon projects seeks to address these problems by providing a means to monitor the condition of engine lubricating oil

7. Partnership Fundacion Tekniker IB Krates OÜ
Martechnic GmbH
Fundacion Tekniker
IB Krates OÜ
Institut für Mikrotechnik Mainz GmbH (IMM)
BP Marine Limited
RINA SPA
Wearcheck GmbH
Sunderland University

8. Sensor selection Sensor Output IR sensor Water concentration
Soot concentration
TBN
Viscosity sensor
Viscosity
FTIR sensor
Water content
Insoluble content
Optical particle detector
Particles

9. Prototype

11. Intelligent Diagnostics
The use of condition monitoring through a set of novel sensors has enabled condition based maintenance to be performed.
Data from sensors is used to inform maintenance decisions using a repository of predetermined actions for particular combinations of sensor readings.
In order to fully realise the potential of the sensor system, however, an intelligent solution is required which can autonomously and automatically interpret the data.
In this way information can be provided to the operators on the likelihood of faults occurring in each component.

12. Bayesian Network Screenshot

13. Main Interface Screenshot

14. Posseidon Acheivements
The need for the product has been demonstrated
The viability of the system has been proved by the development of the prototype system
More work to be done

15. Need for Strategic Development
Ship engine rooms are hostile environments
Heat
Vibration
Equipment is on a large scale
Condition Monitoring is Expensive
Development needs to be guided by a strategy

16. Reliability Centred Maintenance
RCM is a maintenance methodology based upon the collection and analysis of basic equipment data.
The primary reason for the development of RCM is to implement a preventive maintenance strategy that could adequately address system availability.

17. RCM Methodology What is the function of the equipment?
What causes each functional failure?
What causes each failure and identify failure modes?
What is the failure effect?
What is the consequence of each failure?
What proactive task(s) should be done to predict or prevent each failure?
What default action should be done to if a suitable proactive task cannot be found?

18. RCM Benefits
An RCM analysis will enable the correct sensor configuration to be determined for the application. Different combinations of engine and lubricant mean the criticality of the parameters various in each application.
The application of such technology may be seen as unproven in this context. A detailed RCM analysis will form the basis of a business case since it ties any investment to where it is most needed.

19. RCM Benefits
Greater safety and environmental protection, due to improved maintenance
Improved operating performance, due to more emphasis on the maintenance requirements of critical components
Greater maintenance cost-effectiveness, due to less unnecessary maintenance
A comprehensive maintenance database, which reduces the effects of staff turnover with its attendant loss of experience and expertise

20. Hardware and miniaturisation
Progress has already been made on miniaturising the individual sensors.
Bespoke design is now required to produce a reliable and robust unit

21. Display Technologies
Robust display technologies exist which support marine communication standards and which offer the desired level of robustness.

22. Extensibility Future Sensor additions – beyond oil Vibration
Temperature
Thermal Imaging
Exhaust Emissions

23. Onboard/Offboard Connectivity
NMEA 2000 – Supported by proposed display units
Inter-sensor connectivity – WSNs?
Ground to shore connectivity
Cost
Update rate

24. Design issues What info is displayed? Resilience
Use of software ‘mock-ups’ to obtain feedback from engineering personnel
Resilience
Use of bespoke test rigs to simulate vibration, thermal conditions etc.

25. Conclusion
A sensor system has been developed to support online condition monitoring
Future development to realise the prototype is needed
A structured data-based approach should be used to prioritise development activities.

26. Thank you for your attention