STARTING AIR

LINE EXPLOSION
 Question
• What are the main causes of starting air
line explosion
 Answer
• The ‘link’ between the starting air line manifold
and the cylinder combustion chamber is the
cylinder starting air valve.
• The main causes are due to leaking or
sticking/sluggish/erratic operation of the cylinder
starting air valve.
• When the above occurs, the hot semi-burned
fuel gets forced into the starting air manifold.
This is because firing pressures are usually
higher than 100 bars as compared to starting air
pressures of 30 bar.
 Continued
• As more of the hot semi-burned fuel
accumulates in the air line, the fuel
reaches the explosive limit and
spontaneously ignites causing an
explosion.
 Question
• What are the indications of an imminent
starting air line explosion?
 Answer
• The starting air line manifold starts to
- Become ‘smoky’
- ‘Blisters’ or ‘bubbles’ form on painted
manifolds
- The manifold becomes glowing red hot
- Due to loss of compression pressure, unit
may experience high exhaust temperature
and power developed will be lower
Studies have shown that most
occurrences of starting air line
explosions took place during
manoeuvring than at sea.
 Question
• What protective devices are fitted to
overcome starting air line explosions.
STARTING AIR LINE EXPLOSION
Safety devices

• Relief valve

• bursting cartridge

• flame trap
 STARTING AIR LINE EXPLOSION

HOT SEMI-BURNED FUEL • LEAKING CYLINDER AIR

FROM COMBUSTION START VALVE
CHAMBER • SLUGGISH/ERRATIC
OPERATION OF START VALVE

FIRE

OXYGEN

COMPRESSED AIR
 STARTING AIR LINE EXPLOSION
How to prevent ….

• maintain starting air lines clean

• maintain air start valves

• maintain compressor lubrication

• drain air bottles regularly

• open air line valves slowly

 Orals
• How do you check the cylinder starting air
valve for leak?
 Answer
• Finished with engine
• Get clearance from bridge
• Indicator cock must be open
• Turning gear must be disengaged
• Control air to starting air distributor must
be SHUT
• Automatic starting air valve must be
manually open
• Unit to be checked preferred at TDC
• If start air valve leak, hissing sound is heard.