Maintenance: Purging

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Purging:

verb (used with object), purged, purging.

1.to rid of whatever is impure or undesirable; cleanse; purify.

2. to rid, clear, or free (usually followed by of or from):

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Purging the Pumphead:
Purging the pumphead is a process which allows us to monitor the condition of the shaft
seals in the deepwell pump. The purging has to be carried out at frequent intervals:

- Before loading cargo

- 12 hours after loading cargo
- During transport, every week (on short voyages this is not necessary)
- Prior to discharge
- After discharging

The above stated intervals are mandatory to

assure a good assessment of the condition of the
pumphead.

The results of the purge-process can be noted in the

purging sheets as provided by MarFlex.

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Purge connections top cover:

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 Purging: MDPD

Vent hole Vent hole

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Purging: MDPC

Vent hole Vent hole

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Purge form:

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Purge quantity:
The quantity of purge result depends on different factors;

- Pump type
- Cargo, lubricant or condensation
- Cargo Density
- Cargo Viscosity

The area that is purged is the cofferdam. The

cofferdam has no apparent function other than
separating the cargo from the oil system.

The quantity gives an indication of seal wear and

allows to plan maintenance (PMS).
Volume leakage

Time

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Analysis of the purge result:

When purging the pumphead, there are 5 possible purgeresults:

- Cargo
- Hydraulic oil
- Water
- Air
- Nothing/blocked

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Maintenance: Oil sampling

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Monitoring between purge intervals
The quantity of purge result depends on different factors;

During the time between two purge actions the condition of the shaft seals and the condition of
the lubricating oil can be monitored.

By observing the oil and oil level through the sight glass in top cover (see figure) and by taking
oil samples, these conditions can be determined. Also by opening the hatch, the smell of oil
which is contaminated with cargo can be distinct.

Changes in oil level, discoloration, foaming or otherwise can indicate a possible problem in the
pump.

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Oil draining / filling:
• Draining:
Draining: - Gravity method √
(in the tank, via pump head, MDPD + MDPC)
- Suction method
(on deck, on the topcover, via the fill opening, only MDPC) !!!

• Filling:
Filling: - Reverse gravity method
(in the tank, via pump head, MDPD + MDPC)
- Reverse suction method √
(on deck, on the topcover, only MDPC)
- In topcover (MDPD) √
A) Through open inspection cover
B) Through ½ “ plug
- In topcover (MDPC) !!!
√ = recommended procedure
• Open blind plug on top cover or open the access panel on top cover during draining or filling.

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Oil draining: Gravity method

MDPD

MDPD

2.1.1

MDPC

MDPC

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Oil draining: Suction method

NPSH → p = h x ρ x g

MDPC

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Oil filling: Reverse gravity method

MDPD

2.1.1

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Oil filling: Reverse suction method

MDPC

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Lubricating oil sampling:
Pump lubrication oil condition check

Carry out the following procedure every three (3) months or in

a weekly manner as described In the PMS system:
• Connect the pneumatic oil pump to the fill connection on the
top cover as for a normal oil removal procedure (by suction).
• Put a suitable container under the exhaust line of the
pneumatic oil pump.
• Start removing the oil by suction from the deepwell pump.
• Monitor the flow from the exhaust line of the pneumatic oil
pump.
• Allow first for the contents of the line to the pump head to
be removed (depends on the length of the pipe stack –
see table for minimum oil quantity).
[length (meter) x 0.125 + 0.5 = quantity (litre)]
• Make sure the oil flow from the pump head is NOT
contaminated by water or other fluids (*
• When the oil from the pump head is clean reverse the
pneumatic oil pump operation and fill the deepwell pump
assembly to the normal oil level.
• Disconnect the pneumatic oil pump and prepare the
deepwell pump for normal operation.

(* When the oil from the pump head is contaminated with

water or other fluids replace all the oil in the deepwell pump.
Replace or overhaul the pump head at the first possible
opportunity.

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 Oil sampling
• When analysing an oil sample, different situations can be identified:
- Visual change of colour
- Smell of cargo
Cargo - Use of cargo reagent

- Visual cloudy / Clean Metal

separation of oil Water
Oil sample particles - Visual sediment
and water
- Use of magnet

Guide
bearings - Discoloration of oil
- Visual sediment
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Oil recommendations:

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Lubricating oil suppliers:

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Food grade oils
When transporting food-grade cargoes it is wise
to replace the hydraulic oil inside the pipestack
with a special food-grade oil. In the unfortunate
case of a leak, the cargo will NOT be
compromised.

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Maintenance: Motor Greasing

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ATB or ABB
Two different brands of E-motors;

ATB ABB
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Maintenance schedule ATB: Grease electric motor
ATB e-motors have been supplied in two different types; with self-
greasing bearings and ones which need re-greasing.

The difference between these two types is frame size related:

Up to frame size 280 the ball-bearings are sealed for life; The grease
filling will (under normal operation) be adequate for at least 20.000
operating hours for a 2-pole motor and up to 40.000 operating hours for
a 4-pole (or more) motors.

Motors as from frame size 315 are equipped with lubrication nipples
installe don the bearing shield or bearing covers. Lubrication should occur
using a grease gun and preferably whilst motor is running. The grease
collection space is large enough that it can accomodate all the old grease
for the normal lifespan of the motor. The lubrication quantities and
intervals can be found on the motor dataplates as wel as in the manuals.

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Maintenance schedule ABB: Grease electric motor
ABB e-motors have been supplied in two different types; With
Grease-nipples (in and out) and Grease collection chambers.

If the e-motor has both grease inlets and –outlets, the re-greasing
of the e-motor bearings is a straight forward job. The data plate
displays all the necessary data; type-, amount-, and interval of re-
greasing. As with every e-motor greasing procedure, the shaft has
to be turning.
Upper: Grease inlet plug

Amount of grease

Hours Interval
Lower: Grease outlet - Grease inlet plug
Grease type

Data plate
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Maintenance schedule ABB: Grease electric motor
If the e-motor is equipped with a grease collection chamber, the
re-greasing is a little more complicated. The grease is entered
into the bearing through a standard grease nipple (positioned at
the top and bottom). The old grease is collected in a grease
collection chamber. There is one at both ends of the e-motor.

Lower: Grease inlet Grease collection chambers Message for grease collection chamber:
- Empty every 4th re-greasing time or
every 3 years

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Maintenance: Megger testing

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Megger testing as Maintenance
The Megger test is a method of testing making use of an insulation resistance meter that will
help to verify the condition of electrical insulation. The testing device only goes between
500 and 1,000 volts, which is relatively low. Due to the low voltage, some punctures in
insulation go undetected. It generally provides information about the leakage current and
whether insulation areas have excessive dirt or moisture as well as the amount of moisture,
deterioration and winding faults.

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Monitoring the values
• Megger values with the corresponding actions;
Resistance Value Action

>2200 MΩ – 150 MΩ None

150 MΩ – 50 MΩ Investigate, able to run E-motor
50 MΩ – 0 MΩ Investigate, do NOT run E-motor
until issue is solved

ATB
ABB E-motors
E-motors

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