New concept and design of electronically controlled cylinder lubrication system for large two-stroke marine diesel engines

Abstract

Lubrication of cylinders between liners and rings is one of the crucial factors that affects the efficient operation of diesel engines. Marine diesel engines usually use inferior heavy fuel oil with high sulphur content, and the acidic substances formed by fuel combustion need alkaline cylinder oil to neutralize. For the operational cost to a marine engine, besides fuel oil, cylinder oil also takes a big share. This article first analyses the advantages and disadvantages of existing cylinder lubrication systems with regard to oil injection control. Second, the control parameters and variables such as the oil injection pressure, timing, oil feed rate and reliability are analysed, and the corresponding control schemes formulated. Third, the control strategies are developed in detail. Finally, verification tests are carried out on an actual engine, with the results showing that the control strategies developed in this article provide a stable, cost-effective, creative and excellent solution for cylinder lubrication with reduced cylinder wear. A thin and uniform oil film distribution is retained on the liner surface, with savings in cylinder oil consumption, lower particulate matter emission levels and improved cylinder liner and piston rings running conditions. The experimental results show that the oil consumption could be reduced by up to 50%.