KOBOLD monitors fuel consumption in diesel engines

April 18, 2016  1219  1219   

A pair of DON flow meters is used with a single electronic model ZOK-Z3 to give a net reading of fuel consumption. In this offshore application, a fuel consumption measurement system has been effectively implemented on diesel engines in small ships/vessels. Figure 1. illustrates a pair of stainless steel flow meters - DON-S15… for flows up to 550 l/h per flow meter and one ZOK-Z3 per engine. As choking of the flow meter or strainer in the main line may result in higher differential pressure and result in diminishing fuel to the engine, an alternative is to use a pressure relief valve in the bypass line. Higher inlet pressure opens the pressure relief valve and ensures a constant supply to the diesel engine. In selective cases, the choice of a "pulsating flow” option may be recommended. With this installation, fishermen are now in a position to monitor the actual real time fuel consumption and adapt the ship’s speed to optimise it. In general, it has been experienced that return on investment is seen within a month.

Principle of Operation

The Oval Wheel meters are positive displacement flow meters where the passage of liquid causes two oval gears to rotate within a precision measuring chamber and with each rotation a fixed volume of liquid passes through the meter. Magnets embedded within the gears initiate a high-resolution pulse train output. The pulse output can be wired directly to process control and monitoring equipment or can be used as an input to instruments supplied with or fitted directly onto the meter. The flow meter is available as a blind transmitter with pulse output capable of interfacing to most monitoring and control instrumentation or the meter can be fitted with or supplied with instruments such as totalisers, rate totalisers or batch controllers. These instruments also have monitoring and control output options including 4-20 mA, scaled pulse, flow rate alarms and batch control logic (preset metering) This technology allows precise flow measurement and dispensing of most clean liquids regardless of their conductivity, with other liquid characteristics having no or minimal effect on meter performance. This metering technology does not require flow profile conditioning or straight line runs as required with alternative flow technologies making the installation relatively compact and low cost.

 

Positive displacement flow meters are an inexpensive means to accurately meter high viscosity clean liquids as high as 1 million centipoises however, the appropriate meter must be sized so that the pressure drop across the primary measuring elements (oval rotor), does not exceed the maximum capability of either.

 

Areas of Application

For all viscous, non-abrasive clean liquids like, petroleum, oil, chemicals, grease, fuels, inks, pastes and water.  Stainless steel flow meters are suited to most water based products and chemicals and aluminum meters are

suitable for fuels, fuel oils and1 lubricating liquids.

 

Kobold DON specifications:

• Measuring range: 0.5...36 l/h and 150...2500 l/min
• Viscosity range: 0...1000 cP (higher on request)
• Accuracy: ±0,2%...2% of reading
• Material: aluminium or stainless steel
• p_max: 100 bar; t_max: 120°C
• Pulse output, LCD display, 4...20 mA, alarms, mechanical register