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Service, Wärtsilä NSD Finland Oy Käyttöohje Driftsinstruktion

Section Engine type Ref. Date Issue Document No. Page
92 Auxiliary systems  WNSFI–S 02.06.2000 01 WV92Q090GB 1(3)

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(QJLQHW\SH All diesel engines equipped with water tube exhaust gas boilers for steam
production.

%DFNJURXQG Soot fires are very rare on boilers where normal scheduled maintenance, like
soot blowing and water washing, is carried out. However, there is a certain
risk for soot fire especially on boilers where the maintenance has not been
carried out in a proper way or where the engines are operated excessively on
low load or with many starts and stops.

3XUSRVH To minimise the risk for a soot-fire, the operator should note the following
instructions and carefully follow the operation and maintenance instructions
in the manuals.

&KDUDFWHULVWLFV The initial soot fire is a fire where the deposit of combustible materials burn
in the presence of sufficient oxygen. The main deposit is soot. The ignition
temperature of the soot layer is in the range of 300 – 400°C, but the
presence of unburned oil, as fuel oil or lubricating oil, may lower the ignition
temperature even down to 150°C.

High temperature fire may develop from a regular soot fire. In a high
temperature fire a number of reactions take place at the same time, e.g.
burning of soot, hydrogen fire and iron fire and the total heat release may
become very high. In most of the cases a high temperature fire has occurred
as the gilled iron tubes and casings have been found burned or melted away.

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In order to prevent soot fire in exhaust gas boiler during operation, the
following should be considered:
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If the soot blowing equipment is installed, the efficiency should be checked
and the number of daily soot blowings should be adjusted accordingly. The
indication of low efficiency is typically increased pressure drop over exhaust
gas side and or risen exhaust gas outlet temperature from boiler. If those
values keep on rising despite the increased daily soot blowing, the boiler
should be water washed.
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In order to avoid the concentration of some of the gas constituents,
preheated feed water should be used during start-up and during low load

Wärtsilä NSD Finland Oy P.O. Box 252 (Tarhaajantie 2) Telecop. +358 6 356 7355 Tel. +358 6 3270 Registered in Finland No. 465.942
Service, Vaasa FIN-65101 Vaasa, Finland Telecop. +358 6 356 7366 Telex 74251 wva fi Registered Office: Vaasa
Wärtsilä NSD Finland Oy P.O. Box 50 (Stålarminkatu 45) Telecop. +358 2 264 3279 Tel. +358 2 264 3111
Service, Turku FIN-20811 Turku, Finland Telecop. +358 2 264 3410 Telex 62640 wdfi fi
Service, Wärtsilä NSD Finland Oy Operating instruction
Date Issue Document No. Page
02.06.2000 01 WV92Q090GB 2(3)

operation, especially if the boiler is not fitted with a by-pass duct and valve
which can be activated in these running conditions. If an auxiliary boiler has
been installed, it should be used for feed water preheating before start-up.
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It should be ascertained that the water circulation system of the boiler and its
control system are operating properly. The circulation pump should always
be operated at design point. This should be checked weekly.
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After the engine is stopped, the circulation pump of the boiler should be kept
running until the boiler temperature has decreased below 120°C, because
wet oily soot may catch fire above this temperature. Also, it is not
recommended to stop the circulation pump at a shut down unless the boiler
has been visually checked and is internally clean.
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If an excessive amount of smoke is observed, either constantly or during
acceleration, this is an indication of a deterioration of the situation. The
cause should be identified and remedied. Excessive smoke could be caused
by defective fuel valves, incorrect adjustment of the governor fuel limiter, etc.
The boiler should be checked afterwards and cleaned, if necessary.

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Where an initial soot fire has been discovered, the following actions should
be considered:
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This limits the oxygen supply to the fire.
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The water circulated by the pump will help keep the tubes cool and reduce
any heat damage caused by fire. This is extremely important.
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Steam will involve a risk of high temperature fire.
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If available, close the valves in the exhaust gas or air intake duct, in order to
prevent the oxygen supply to the boiler.
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In some installations it is possible to supply water inside the boiler gas
space. This is recommended in case of soot fire, because it has a clear
cooling influence, if the water amount is sufficient.

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If the soot fire has turned into an iron fire, this can be indicated by e.g. loss
of water, an increase in the feed water consumption and/or if a low level
alarm in the steam drum is activated.
Service, Wärtsilä NSD Finland Oy Operating instruction
Date Issue Document No. Page
02.06.2000 01 WV92Q090GB 3(3)

In case substantial damage to the boiler tubes can be suspected, the

following actions should be considered:
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If not stopped already.
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If a soot fire has turned into a high-temperature fire (hydrogen/iron fire), care
should be taken when using water for extinguishing: the intensity of the fire
may increase unless large amounts of water are applied directly to the heart
of fire. The main aim should therefore be that when an initial small fire is
discovered, prompt actions should be taken in order to prevent it from turning
into a high-temperature fire.

/HWWHUGLVWULEXWLRQ Wärtsilä NSD Service Network. Owners of Wärtsilä NSD engines.

/HWWHUYDOLGLW\ Until further notice.