Case Study: Red Funnel - Wartsila 8 FHD 240-G

Industry: Marine

Engine Type: Wartsila 8 FHD 240-G

Model Installed: IOW MP200 centrifuge filter & CentriClean SCU0002 remote monitor

Background

Red Funnel is a local ferry service operating several vessels in the UK, running a Wartsila 8 FHD 240 engine taking cars and passengers from the Isle of Wight to the city of Southampton. The engine speed was 1000 RPM and had a power output of 2105 hp. They were looking for a filtration system to clean the dry sump of their Wartsila propulsion engine. Red Funnel uses SAE 40 Castrol lube oil at 6.5 bar pressure (94.2 psi). The centrifuge filter and pump would need to run at least 60°C (140°F) to maintain the correct oil viscosity to allow for effective filtration. With this information, we decided that an IOW MP200 centrifugal filter would be the best model for the job.

Wartsila-8FHD240G-centrifugal-filter
An IOW MP200 centrifuge filter was installed onboard Red Funnel Ferry MV Red Falcon.

Installation

Due to the Wartsila engine running at low pressure, we set up a kidney loop system. We used an IOW Magnaline triple screw pump to drive the IOW MP200 centrifugal filter along with a CentriClean SCU0002 to measure performance. Running at a higher pressure would mean faster and more efficient separation of the contaminants from the lube oil. The centrifuge filter was mounted on top of the forward engine's main sump tank to allow enough space for the triple screw pump, centrifugal filter, and pipework. A thermostatic control panel was installed to maintain a minimum separation temperature of 60°C (140°F). The thermostatic control was installed so that the triple screw pump would start once a certain temperature was reached.


The IOW range is designed to retrofit to a range of industry-standard mountings and fittings, so installation was simple and easy. As quickly as it was installed, the fantastic results started showing! The IOW range of centrifuges' unique features are patent protected. Combining bowl disc technology, remote monitoring, and the distinctive design features of the IOW centrifugal filters help to make the IOW centrifugal filter 150% more efficient than other products currently available on the market.


wartsila-engine-centrifugal-filter
When installed onboard Red Funnel ferry MV Red Falcon, a unique filtration setup was designed to be able to mount it on top of the forward engine's main sump tank.

The Results

At 60°C (140°F), the CentriClean SCU0002 monitoring unit displayed that the IOW MP200 centrifuge filter rotates at 6,200 RPM. The higher the centrifuge rotation creates, the higher the centrifugal force. Greater centrifugal force creates a faster and more efficient separation process.


The IOW MP200 centrifuge filter was serviced after 561 run hours. The sludge cake removed from the IOW centrifuge measured 1.2cm thick and weighed an impressive 861 grams! This calculates at a dirt removal rate of 1.54 grams per hour! 


After a further 182 run hours, the sludge cake was removed and weighed, coming in at 291 grams! Due to the great centrifugal force generated by the centrifuge, the sludge cake often comes out easily as it is stiff and rigid from being forced against the outer bowl wall. This makes it easy to remove and simple to service the IOW centrifugal filter. Find out more about the servicing process here.


Red Funnel continued to run the IOW MP200 centrifuge filter onboard their ferry and was impressed with the amount of contaminants that the IOW MP200 centrifuge continued to draw out.


Wartsila-centrifugal-filter
After 561 run hours, the IOW MP200 centrifuge filter had drawn out an impressive 861 grams of sludge cake.
wartsila-centrifugal-oil-filter
After a further 182 run hours, the IOW MP200 centrifuge filter had drawn out 291 grams of contaminants.

Customer Feedback

Red Funnel was very pleased with the performance of the IOW MP200 centrifuge filter.


They were extremely satisfied with the level of support and expert knowledge we could provide them to supply the exact setup they required. 


Since this installation, Red Funnel reviewing their filtration processes and has installed several IOW centrifuges on car ferries and high-speed catamaran services.


Conclusion

The IOW MP200 centrifuge performed so well that even with relatively clean MGO and lower oil temperature an impressive amount of dirt was drawn out of the oil.


During the process of reviewing filtration processes following these trials, Red Funnel made the decision to install IOW centrifuges on sister ships and their other vessel types.





bowldisc-centrifugal-sludge-contaminants
The IOW MP200 centrifuge drew out substantial amounts of contaminants from the lubrication oil onboard Red Falcon.

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