Shipboard systems are designed to be efficient and run for long periods of time. Thermal power is the most common way that energy is lost from ship engines. To avoid engine failure, breakdown, or damage, any thermal energy that escapes must be reduced or removed using a cooling system, such as central heating and air conditioning systems.
Two cooling systems are used for ships:
Seawater cooling system: Sea water is used as a heat exchanger medium in the cooling system for the engine.
Freshwater cooling or central cooling: Fresh water is used in closed circuits to cool engine room machinery. Seawater is used to cool the fresh water that returns from this heat exchanger, after cooling.
Central Cooling Systems: How do they work?
All machines on ships, as discussed above, use a central cooling system that uses freshwater for cooling. The system is made up of three circuits.
Sea water circuit
In large heat exchangers cooled by seawater, seawater is used to cool the fresh water in the closed circuit.
Low-temperature circuit
The low temperature circuit is connected directly to the central seawater cooling system. This circuit has a temperature lower than that of the high temperature circuit.
In order to maintain equilibrium, the total volume of L.T. fresh water or low temperature in the system must be equal to H.T. The cooling system expansion tanks that are common to both systems can be used to provide fresh water.
High-temperature circuit (H.T)
The main H.T circuitry of the central cooling system is the jacket water system in the main engine, where temperatures are high. Electric cooling water pumps circulate the H.T cooling water system. One pump is in use and one is on standby.
Central cooling systems have many advantages
Maintenance costs are reduced: Since the system runs on fresh water, it is easier to maintain and replace components.
The sea water system is only located in the middle, so there is less corrosion.
Increased speed of liquid heat exchange in freshwater systems: This results in lower pipe installation costs. For Industrial Valves, visit Orseal
Materials that are cheaper: Because the corrosion risk is reduced, it’s possible to use materials of lower cost for pipes and valves.
Maintaining a constant temperature: The temperature can be controlled, regardless of the seawater temperature. This helps to reduce engine wear.
Central cooling systems are ideal for unmanned machine space. The central cooling system offers greater reliability and temperature controls, making it the perfect choice for unmanned engine rooms.
