Service Bulletin RTA–2

05.10.88
Technical Information to all Owners of (Reprinted 09.02.98)
Sulzer RTA – Type Engines
except RTA38 and RTA48

Water Drain from Charge Air Receiver

and Charge Air Temperature

Contents: Page

1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. CHARGE AIR TEMPERATURE 1
3. CHARGE AIR RECEIVER 2
4. WATER DRAIN PIPING SYSTEM 2
5. STORAGE / HANDLING 3
OF CONDENSATE
07.40 – Printed in Switzerland
28.08.07.40

Wärtsilä NSD Switzerland Ltd PO Box 414 Tel. +41 52 262 49 22

Wärtsilä NSD Schweiz AG CH-8401 Winterthur Fax +41 52 212 49 17
Wärtsilä NSD Suisse SA Switzerland Tlx 896 659 NSDL CH
1. INTRODUCTION

The amount of condensate from the water separator after air cooler depends mainly on the
charge air pressure, the charge air temperature and the relative humidity and temperature of
the inlet air.
When operating in humid tropical areas the condense water quantities may be up to 0.05 -
0.08 kg/kWh (on a 7 RTA 84 up to 1000 kg/h has been measured).
Accumulation of condensate in the charge air receiver has to be avoided since water in liquid
or evaporated state, swept along by the air flow can have a negative influence on the piston
running behaviour and can increase corrosive wear to piston rings and cylinder liners.
Experience gained so far, particularly on vessels running under extreme tropical conditions,
has shown that the current condensate system does not always ensure sufficient drainage.

2. CHARGE AIR TEMPERATURE

The often found practice to raise the charge air temperature after air cooler(s) in order to
avoid condensation is no longer advisable as condensation can not always be avoided with
todays highly supercharged engines.
We still recommend to operate the air coolers as follows:
- full specified cooling water flow (sea or fresh water), i.e. no throttling at part load
- sea water inlet temperature 25 - 32
C; resulting scavenge air temperature about
5-l5
C higher than cooling water inlet temperature depending on engine load
- cooling water inlet temperature for central cooling systems 25 - 36
C; resulting
scavenge air temperature about 5 - 10
C higher than cooling water inlet temperature
depending on engine load
(see also Service Instructions section 025 resp. 0250).
As already mentioned, water contained in the scavenge air does not only have a detrimental
effect in liquid condensed form but also the vaporized or gaseous state can increase corrosive
wear to piston rings and cylinder liners. Such conditions are mainly observed when operating
in humid tropical areas and can be explained by the effect of water content in the combustion
air on the dew point, as indicated in the following diagram.

C 1 Typical liner wall temp.

4 2 Dew point in cylinder

3 during expansion stroke
with normal cooler
2 operation and water
separation at ISO cond.
1 3 Same at tropical cond.
4 Same at tropical cond. but
with elevated scavenge
temp. and thus high water
content in combustion air
load%

From the diagram it can be seen that the operating range with liner wall temperatures above
dew point can be extended when the scavenge air temperature is lowered and the absolute
water content of the scavenge air is reduced to a minimum.

1/3 Service Bulletin RTA-2

3. CHARGE AIR RECEIVER

The following improvements may be beneficial to engines in service suffering from corrosive
wear of piston rings and cylinder liners. It is recommended to consult the engine builder case
by case.

3.1. RTA 58, 68, 76, 84 and 84 M (enclosures RTA2/1 and 2/2)
In general, openings C and D (RTA2/2) are provided. If this is not the case they have to be
carefully burnt out to enable the condensate, which may accumulate in the respective spaces,
to flow out. At the bottom fixation for the water separators, steel plates have to be welded in
on both sides (detail E RTA2/2) to prevent water from bypassing the separators with the air
flow (see as well encl. RTA2/1). Proper welding all around is required.

3.2. RTA 52 and 72 (enclosure RTA2/3)

Two different executions exist depending on the type of turbocharger. Both designs of charge
air receiver have been adapted to the new standard right from the beginning. Just the cutouts
(E) in the outer two side plates, bounding the water separator area, may have to be sealed.

3.3. RTA 62 (enclosure RTA2/3)

Engines in service may be adapted by fitting deflecting plates (G) and closing the cutouts (E)
in the outer two side plates, bounding the water separator area.
The triangular openings (K) at the bottom fixation of the water separator can be sealed.The
air deflecting plates (G) ensure that the separated condensate can drain to the piping system
without being picked up again by the air flow.
Closing the cutouts (E+K) prevents the condensate flowing into the other charge air receiver
spaces. Welding is to be carried out carefully.

4. WATER DRAIN PIPING SYSTEM (enclosure RTA2/4 and 2/5)

On the mentioned enclosures the two different piping system designs for
RTA8and2series" engines are compared. We recommend to install the automatic
condense water drainage system which will ensure sufficient crosssectional area for proper
drainage under all operating conditions (encl. RTA2/6).
Some automatic drain valves may have been supplied with a rather fine meshed filter.
This filter must be removed.
A small bypass line permits a continuous limited flow of charge air and condense water.

2/3 Service Bulletin RTA-2

5. STORAGE / HANDLING OF CONDENSATE

As mentioned in the introduction considerable condense water quantities may have to be

dealt with.In case of drainage to the bilge such quantities may exceed the capacity of the (dry)
bilge concept and frequently cause high level alarms. However, on no account should the
drain cocks be closed to prevent alarms.
Drainage to a tank for pumping over board via the oily water separator should be considered.

ENCLOSURES: as mentioned

This Service Bulletin should be kept in a separate file in the control room. The respective pages or
tables of the Service Bulletin with modifications to the Operating Manual, Maintenance Manual or
Code Book should be copied and filed in the respective Manual or Book.

Wärtsilä NSD Switzerland Ltd has issued this Service Bulletin with their best knowledge and
ability. However, Wärtsilä NSD Switzerland Ltd can not take any liability for any or all information
contained in this or any other Service Bulletin.
Changes of any nature to the form and or to the content of this or any other Service Bulletin as
published by Wärtsilä NSD Switzerland Ltd, are not permitted.

3/3 Service Bulletin RTA-2

 WATER SEPARATOR DRAIN

RTA 84 M RTA 58
RTA 68
RTA 76
RTA 84

ÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ
Ç Ç
ÇÇ
ÇÇ
ÇÇ
ÇÇ
ÇÇÇ
ÇÇ
ÉÉ ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
É
ÇÇÇ
ÇÇ ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
B
ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ AIR
B

ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
C
ÇÇÇÇ ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
ÇÇÇÇ ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
ÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ
ÇÇÇÇ ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
C Water drain

Ç ÉÉ
B-B Ç C-C ÉÉ
Ç ÉÉ
É
Ç ÉÉ ÉÉ
ÇÇÇÇ
É ÉÉ ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
ÉÉ
ÉÉ
The condensate collecting space must be isolated
within the charge air receiver. The lateral openings
are to be sealed by welding-in small plates.

Service Bulletin Enclosure RTA-2/1

 CHARGE AIR RECEIVER

A - A turned by 90°
B

ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
ÉÉ ÉÉ ÉÉ É É É ÉÉ É É
ÉÉ É É É ÉÉ É É
É É ÉÉ É É É ÉÉ É É
ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
É É ÉÉ É É É ÉÉ É É
CÉÉ ÉÉ
ÉÉ
É
É
É
É
É
É
ÉÉ
ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
ÉÉ
C É
É C C C C C

ÉÉ É É É ÉÉ E E E E E

ÉÉ
ÉÉÉ
É
ÉÉÉ
É
ÉÉÉÉÉ
É
ÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ ÉÉ É ÉÉ
ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
ÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ
0 D D D 0

B-B turned by 90° Turbocharger on free end

ÉÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
É Ç ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
É ÉÉ É
ÉÉ É Ç É É ÉÉ É É
É ÇÇ
É
Ç ÇÇÇ
ÉÉ É É ÉÉ É É
A A

ÉÉ É ÇÇ
Ç ÇÇÇ É É ÉÉ É É
É ÇÇÇ ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
É É ÉÉ É É
ÉÉÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
É
É Ç ÇÇ
ÇÇÇÇ É
ÇÇÇ É ÉÉ É É C C C C

C É
ÉEÉ
É ÉÉ
ÉÉ É
É É
É E E E
0
E E

ÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ
É É
0
ÉÉ É
D
É 0

ÉÉÉ
É É ÉÉ É É
ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ 0 0
D D D

ÉÉ
To be cut out if not
ÉÉ
E
already provided
C ÉÉ D
É ÉÉ ÉÉ
É ÉÉ ÇÇÇ
ÉÉ Flat steel
É ÉÉ bar to be

ÇÇÇÇ É ÇÇÇÇÉÉ
R R carefully
welded in
ÇÇÇÇ ÇÇÇÇÉÉ ÉÉÉÉÉÉ
R = 50 mm for RTA58 and 68
R = 60 mm for RTA76, 84 and 84M
0 = Water drain

Service Bulletin Enclosure RTA-2/2

 WATER SEPARATOR DRAIN

E =Cutouts in the outer two side

plates, bounding the water separator
area, to be sealed.
F =Deflecting plates have been introduced
G =Deflecting plates to be fitted
H =Drain from charge air cooler housing
I =Condensate drain from separator
K =Openings to be sealed, RTA 62 only
0 =To drain piping system

RTA62 RTA52; VTR 454/564 RTA52; VTR 354

É
RTA72; VTR 714
É É RTA72; VTR 454/564
É É É
ÇÇÇÇ
É ÇÇÇÇ
É ÇÇÇÇ
É
ÉÉÉ
É
ÇÇÇÇ É
ÇÇÇÇ É
ÇÇÇÇ
ÉÉÉ
É
ÇÇÇÇ
ÇÇÇÇ
É
ÉÉÉ
ÉÉÉ
É
ÇÇÇÇ
ÇÇÇÇ
É
ÉÉÉÉ
ÉÉÉÉ
É
ÇÇÇÇ
ÇÇÇÇ
É
ÉÉÉ ÇÇÇÇ
É ÉÉÉ
ÇÇÇÇ
É ÉÉÉÉÇÇÇÇ
É
É
É AIR
É
É É
É AIR AIR
A É
É É
É A É
É
É É É
É É É
E

ÇÇ ÇÇÉÉÉ
É
E
ÉÉÉÇÇÇÇÇÇ
ÉÉÉÉ
É Ç Ç É E
B
ÇÇ
ÉÉÉ
É ÇÇÇÇÇÇ
ÉÉÉÉ
É Ç Ç É
ÉÇÇÇÇ
ÇÇÇÇ
ÇÇ
ÉÉÉ
É ÇÇÇÇÇÇ
ÉÉÉÉ
É ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
ÇÉÉ
ÉÉÇ É
G F

B
0 ÇÇÇÇ
ÉÉÉ
É
I
ÇÇÇÇ É ÇÇÇÇÇÇ
ÉÉÉÉ
É ÉÇÇÇÇÇÇ
HÉ
É ÉÉ
ÉÉ
0
H
ÇÇÇÇ
É ÇÇÇÇÇÇ
É 0

É
A-A B-B

É
É
É
É
E
K

ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
É É
É ÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇÇ
É
É
Service Bulletin Enclosure RTA-2/3
 RTA58, RTA68, RTA76, RTA84, RTA84M ENGINES
WATER DRAIN FROM CHARGE AIR RECEIVER

PREVIOUS DESIGN

Cock
Level switch for receiver
drainage (high level alarm)
on special request
Sight glass
Water drain from charge
air receiver
To bilge or oily-water
drain tank
To portable cleaning unit,
cleaning tank or bilge
Wash water from charge air
cooler
Throttling plate

NEW DESIGN

Level switch for receiver

drainage (high level alarm)
on special request
Automatic drain valve

By-pass(permanently open)

1
Water drain from charge
air receiver
To bilge or oily-water
drain tank
To portable cleaning unit,
cleaning tank or bilge
Wash water from charge air
cooler
Cocks; only shut cock 1
when washing
cooler in port

Service Bulletin Enclosure RTA-2/4

 RTA52, RTA62, RTA72 ENGINES
WATER DRAIN FROM CHARGE AIR RECEIVER
PREVIOUS DESIGN

Cock
Level switch for receiver
drainage (high level alarm)
on special request
Sight glass
Water drain from charge
air receiver
To bilge or oily-water
drain tank
To portable cleaning unit,
cleaning tank or bilge
Wash water from charge air
cooler
Throttling plate

NEW DESIGN

Level switch for receiver

drainage (high level alarm)
on special request
Automatic drain valve

By-pass (permanently open)

Water drain from charge

air receiver
1

To bilge or oily-water
drain tank
To portable cleaning unit
or cleaning tank or bilge
Wash water from charge air
cooler
Cocks; only shut cock 1
when washing
cooler in port

Service Bulletin Enclosure RTA-2/5

 AUTOMATIC DRAIN VALVE

4
1

9
ÇÇÇ
Ç
ÇÇÇ
ÇÇ
Ç
ÇÇÇ
ÇÇ
ÉÉÉ 2

ÉÉÉ
ÉÉ
ÉÉ
É
ÉÉ
ÉÉ
ÉÉ
ÉÉ
ÉÉ
ÉÉ
7
6
8
3

Mesh filter to be removed if fitted

1 Housing upper part 6 Float control

2 Joint ring (copper or soft iron) 7 Float control body with rotary valve
3 Housing lower part 8 Float with lever
4 Control valve 9 Fixation screw
5 By-pass (connection)

Service Bulletin Enclosure RTA-2/6