Critical Operations & Maintenance Tips Of COPT System, All Marine Engineers Must Know!!!

1. Lube Oil System: Cleaning of L.O. should be done after every discharging depending upon the seawater cooling system or fresh water cooling system. For sea water cooling system, cleaning after every discharging to be carried out. Or if a fresh water cooling system is there, then after 3 to 4 discharging it can be done. While cleaning, always check the gaskets in the end covers. Try out to see there should not be any leakage from the end covers. L.O. Cooler outlet temperature of L.O. to be checked regularly.
2. Drain the drain separator and piping after the finishing of cargo. Steam inside turbine is to be completely drained off to avoid corrosion or damage to turbine blades.
3. Check for abnormal noise or vibrations when the turbines are started. Chances of slight misalignment can take place
4. Oil Strainer must be cleaned regularly by the arrangement provided for them.
5. Air in L.O. Cooler and strainer must be purged. Though, it is a closed system, but purging is to be done regularly.
6. The Oil level from these places to be checked. Tank from dedicated gauge, governor for sight glass and gear coupling by oil leakage.
7. All trip devices to be confirmed at every initial starting of the turbines. Every trip is to be checked by maker’s instruction. When testing the overspeed trip for the turbine, the pump must be disconnected in order to avoid dry running of mechanical seal fitted on the pump.
8. Bearing temperature to be checked after every 4 hour interval when the turbines are running. If any abnormal rise occurs, take the appropriate action as soon as possible.

Alternatives to COPT

COPT system is more reliable than any other cargo discharging systems. Though the initial cost is high and operations are too critical to handle, but give a higher rate of discharge than any other system. Some other systems like FRAMO are also used in ships which works on the electrical supply. The driving force is an electrical motor due to which controlling of speed is easier than the COPT system. The speed control of the COPT is slow to respond than the FRAMO one as the boiler takes a long time to increase or decrease the production of steam. These factors affect the COPT system, but due to its robust operation capability gives it an upper position than FRAMO.