
Published on 19 Jun 2023
Published on 19 Jun 2023
While in port, the 3/E on our ship noticed the EGCS giving some alarms during the UMS rounds. Since the EGCS was not in use, he put the alarms in the off-scan (disable) mode.
On departure, while starting the EGCS, he noticed that the AE 3 damper and uptake valves were not operating in the auto mode. Hence, he operated these valves manually. He also forgot to put the disabled alarms back in the normal mode.
During the EGCS operation, the cooling sea water pump no. 1 tripped. The standby cooling SW pumps no. 2 and no. 3 did not start on auto. The EGCS temperature started rising but did not activate any alarm as it was disabled. The high temperature shut down system tripped the EGCS. However, since the AE3 uptake / bypass valves was on manual mode, it continued to allow the exhaust gas to flow through the EGCS.
The C/E sensed burning smell in his cabin and on investigating found the cooling SW pump had tripped. He manually started the pump immediately and operated the AE3 uptake / bypass valves manually to stop the flow of exhaust through the EGCS. The engineers then tried to put the EGCS back in operation, but the high differential back pressure alarm kept tripping the system.
On internal inspection, the scrubber packing bed (demister) elements were found melted thus blocking the flow of exhaust gas through it.
EGCS Make: FMS Inc, Type: Multi Stream U-Type Open Loop, Model: FMSI 145, Design Max Exhaust Gas Flow: 122,400 Kg/h, Combustion Unit Connected: 1X ME and 3 X Aux Engine.
- Without informing the C/E, the 3/E operated the AE 3 damper / bypass valves manually and disabled the EGCS alarm system.
- The Chief Engineer failed to monitor the status of EGCS in operation with alarms inhibited and AE-3 damper valves in manual mode.
- The password for disabling the alarm system was available to all engineers.
- The AE3 damper valves were recommended for overhaul by the service engineer during a previous inspection. However, no efforts were made to carry out the maintenance.
- The SW pump variable frequency drive (VFD) and EGCS control systems were inadequately configured for safe operation. The no.1 tripped due to VFD high temperature and the standby SW pumps failed to start though it was on Auto mode.
- It is done only with permission from the Chief engineer.
- A risk assessment is carried out.
- Details are recorded in the UMS checklist.
- The SW pump motor VFD is provided with additional cooling to prevent overheating.
- To standardize the maximum frequency and the limiting current on the VFD.
- All maintenance and modification of the damper valves as per makers / service engineers’ guidelines are complied with.
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