Computerized condition monitoring of a diesel engine through air inlet filter analysis

Abstract

The diesel engine consists of several components which enhance its proactive monitoring. One of these components is the turbocharger unit (compressor and turbine). It was found from this research that the effective and efficient performance of the unit depends mainly on the effectiveness of the air intake filter. The test engine used was an MTU 12V 396 TC 32 diesel engine. This research used computerized condition monitoring to avert failure, unplanned downtime and schedule maintenance, thus increasing the useful life of the engine. Component modeling was adopted as the best means of actualizing this aim. It was carried out for the air intake filter. A software code named "Top A" written in qbasic programming language was developed. The data obtained showed that the intake air differential pressure across the filter decreased at the range of 0.5 bar. The results revealed that the model developed is capable of predicting any blockage the air intake filter may experience. It was found that the measured pressure drop across the filter remained at 0.85 bar for a long time. This means that the performance of the filter was optimum at this pressure. Condition based maintenance philosophy is therefore recommended to be used to increase its reliability and flexibilityof the entire engine. © Medwell Journals, 2010.