At sea, a ship cannot simply pull over when an engine has a problem. Engine room crews therefore rely on instrument readings to know the condition of their equipment before a fault turns into damage. Temperature is one of the most closely watched parameters, because nearly every mechanical problem on board starts with a change in heat.
Most measuring points are on the main and auxiliary engines. Jacket cooling water keeps the engine block at its working temperature, and a sensor on the cooling water outlet shows whether the cooling system is working normally. Lubricating oil is monitored before and after the cooler, since oil that runs too hot loses its ability to protect bearings and pistons.
Exhaust gas from each cylinder is usually measured with a Thermocouple Type K. On a diesel engine, these temperatures run to several hundred degrees Celsius, and the difference between cylinders is an important clue. One cylinder running hotter than the rest can point to an injector or combustion problem, giving the crew a chance to check it before the damage spreads.
The fuel system also needs temperature measurement. Ships burning heavy fuel oil must heat it so it is thin enough to pump and atomize at the injectors. Temperatures in the settling tank, service tank, and engine supply line have to be held at the right value. Too little heating leaves the fuel too thick, while too much brings it closer to its flash point.
Outside the engine room, hydraulic oil temperature in the steering gear, deck cranes, and hatch cover systems also needs watching. On LPG and LNG carriers, cargo temperature is a central part of the safety system, because the gas is stored as a liquid at very low temperatures.
Most of these sensors connect to the alarm and monitoring system in the engine control room. A temperature transmitter with a 4–20 mA output keeps the signal stable even when the cable runs through many compartments and close to the ship's electrical equipment. With this setup, the crew can monitor the engines from the control room and receive an alarm whenever a value goes out of range.
Every ship has a different layout and different needs. Probe length, connection type, and sensor temperature range should be decided from the actual mounting point, not simply taken from a standard specification.
CV. Rach Tekindo Makmur supplies Temperature Sensors & Temperature Transmitters for a wide range of industrial instrumentation needs. If you need sensors, transmitters, or consultation on configuration and installation for your temperature system, contact us on WhatsApp at 0877-8620-5656 to discuss your technical requirements and request a quotation tailored to your application.
