Continuous Peak Pressure Monitoring on a Main Propulsion Engine – Field Validation
Customer Profile
- Customer: International ship owner operating ocean-going commercial vessels
- Asset: Main propulsion diesel engine
- Engine make & model: MITSUI MAN B&W 6S60MC
- Rated Power: 10,960 kW @ 99.8 RPM
- Engine type: Two-stroke main propulsion engine
- Operating profile: Long-haul service with sustained operation at steady load
Context
Vib360 was installed on the vessel as a Proof of Concept (PoC) as part of an evaluation of advanced engine condition-monitoring technologies prior to any fleet-wide decision.
The vessel continued normal commercial operation throughout the evaluation period. No special test conditions were introduced.
Problem Statement
On main propulsion engines, cylinder peak pressure is a critical indicator of combustion quality, load sharing, and fuel system health.
Conventional measurements are periodic and manual, providing only isolated snapshots and limited trend visibility.
Objective of Vib360 Assessment
- Validate continuous peak pressure trends on a main engine
- Confirm stability, repeatability, and load consistency
- Assess suitability for routine operational and maintenance decision-making
Measurement Setup
- Flywheel-mounted Magnetic Pickup Unit (MPU)
- Continuous acquisition of angular speed variation, angular acceleration, and torsional response
- Peak pressure derived through combustion-induced torsional signatures
Physics-Based Findings
- Stable and repeatable cylinder-wise peak pressure trends
- Clear differentiation between cylinders at comparable loads
- Consistent correlation between combustion events and torsional response
Mechanical / Operational Interpretation
Combustion pressure governs instantaneous torque contribution of each cylinder.
The torsional response faithfully reflected combustion pressure variations, enabling continuous assessment of cylinder balance.
Action Taken
- Peak pressure trends incorporated into routine technical monitoring
- Manual measurements retained only for periodic verification
Outcome and Value
- Continuous combustion visibility established
- Improved basis for maintenance planning
- Reduced reliance on intrusive measurements
CBM and Class Relevance
Provides continuous, auditable combustion trends suitable for Condition Monitoring and transition toward CBM.
Technical Significance
Establishes Vib360 as a practical solution for continuous peak pressure monitoring under real operating conditions.