Extracts from ABB Turbochargings Turbo Magazine 1990 2009

ABB Turbocharging

Tips for the operator

Important when installing a new bearing on the VTR

3
Important when mounting RR impeller wheels

4
Delayed flow in gear-type oil pumps
5
The importance of cleaning during operation
6
The importance of cleaning when overhauling
7
Cleaning turbochargers in operation
8
Oil loss in the oil chamber on the compressor side
12
The two most important clearances
13
True running of the gear oil and centrifugal oil pumps
14
A harmless accumulation of particles
15
Erosion of turbocharger components
16
How to install bearings with gear oil pumps
17
Checking oil levels in VTRs with internal lubrication systems
18
Reconditioning of bearings and pumps
19
Tightening the ring nut at the turbine end
20
The LA36 / LA70 bearing generation
21
Lubricating oil for turbochargers
22
Silencers disassembling and assembling
23
Broken protection sleeves can damage blades
24
Cleaning TPS filter-silencer parts
25
Emergency operation of turbochargers
26
Turbine washing the right way

27
Early warning of inducer wheel failure
28
Engine performance deterioration after turbocharger overhauls?
29
V-clamp connections on TPS turbochargers
30
Dont worry about dry cleaning!
31
Cleaning a turbochargers turbine when and why
32
Is your engine room turbocharger service friendly?
34
Keeping TPL nozzle rings in good shape
35
Ever wanted to change the turbocharger spec on an older engine?
36
Just had a VTR with self-lubricated bearings overhauled? Check the lube oil!
37
Copy parts Learning the hard way
38
Maintaining high turbo efficiency
39

Important when installing a new bearing on the VTR

Turbo Magazine 1/90

To avoid fretting, always apply white MoS2 lubricating paste (e.g. Molycote D or DX) to the thread at the
end of the shaft, to the bearing journals and to the front contact surface of the ring nut.

Coat with Molycote D or DX.

Important when mounting RR impeller wheels

Turbo Magazine 1/91

To avoid serious damage to the thread at the shaft ends when mounting the impeller wheel
on turbochargers of type RR 131, RR 151, RR 153, RR 181 and RR 221, never use
Molycote or any other lubricant, since the shaft end nut must be torqued with an exact
tightening torque.

Delayed flow in gear-type oil pumps

(VTR 454714, VTR 400/1750/1)
Turbo Magazine 1/92

It is reported from time to time that gear-type oil pumps on VTR

turbochargers do not supply any oil. These pumps have been thoroughly
checked at the Baden works, and no faults have ever been found. All the
pumps supplied oil as normal, beginning already at very low speed.

To function properly, the pump body must always be filled with luboil.
Therefore, before a pump is fitted to the turbo - charger, it must be primed
before the bearing cover is fitted (see picture on the right).

When refilling with luboil, also make sure that the oil flows over the pump
head. Special attention must be paid when using extension pipes or hoses
in order not to push them too far inside.

We also recommend that gear oil pumps be checked for

tightness and proper functioning every 16,000 running hours

in one of our Service Stations.

Correct

Wrong

Priming

The importance of cleaning during operation

Turbo Magazine 2/92
Chemical aids (i. e. solvents) are not
necessary for cleaning during operation.
Our water injection method is based on the
mechanical effect of impinging droplets of
water. The water has to be injected with the
turbocharger running at the high-est
possible speed. If solvents were to be
used, the speed would have to be lower
and the solvent injected for a longer time to
have any effect.

Compressor (1)

Compressor pollution depends on how

clean the incoming air is. The filters
themselves are not capable of removing
fine particles of soot or oil vapor, making it
very important to seal leaking exhaust
pipes and prevent oil losses. Besides
affect-ing the efficiency, the layer of soot
on the compressor con-tains sulphur,
which has a corrosive effect on the
aluminum alloy and can lead to a
considerable reduction in the fatigue
resistance of the inducer and compressor
wheels.

Turbine (2)

When heavy fuel is used the nozzle vanes

and turbine blades become dirty due to
combustion residue and, though to a far
smaller extent, the additives in the
lubricating oil. Apart from a very thin
coating of additives, turbochargers

operating on engines using diesel oil show

no signs of dirt deposits.

When engines use heavy oil it is

necessary to be able to clean the turbines
during operation. Depending on the
composition of the heavy fuel used and
the quality of the combustion, such
cleaning of the turbines will have to be
carried out more or less frequently. For the
turbine we recommend wet cleaning
(water injection) as well as dry cleaning
(granulate).

We continue to recommend wet cleaning

for installations where the engine output
can be reduced. The boost pressure has
to be above 0.3 bar to prevent water
entering the turbine end oil chamber and
the exhaust gas temperature before the
turbine should not exceed 430 C.

For further details please refer to our

Technical Information Sheets or to
Cleaning turbochargers in operation on
page 8 of this brochure.

The importance of cleaning when overhauling

Turbo Magazine 1/93 (Article by Edy Wettstein/Hans Brtschi)

Even when cleaning is carried out regularly during operation, the rotor still has to be removed and cleaned according to a fixed
schedule. From time to time it should be professionally rebalanced on a proper balancing machine to be sure that it runs
smoothly and that bearing loads are minimized.

Balancing a rotor is a job for professionals.

Cleaning turbochargers in operation

Article by Hans Kronthaler
compressor side of the
turbocharger, which could

influence the lifetime of the

bearings. The cleaning interval will
depend on the environmental
conditions and on the installed air
filter.

It is recommended that the

compressor and turbine be
cleaned with the turbocharger
running. Periodic cleaning reduces
or even prevents contamination,
allowing significantly longer
intervals between overhauls.

Cleaning the compressor

The proposed cleaning method,

carried out periodically, will
prevent a thick layer of dirt from
forming. A thick layer of dirt can
cause a drop in efficiency and
increased unbalance on the

The compressor wheel of the

turbocharger can be cleaned
during operation by spraying
water into the air inlet casing. The
dirt layer is removed by the impact
of the injected water. Since the
liquid does not act as a solvent
there is no need to add chemicals.
The use of saltwater is not
allowed, as this would cause

corrosion of the aluminum

compressor wheel and the engine.
Water is injected from a water
vessel that

holds the required quantity of

water. This water vessel can be
either ordered together with the
turbocharger or separately.

Alternative water connections

>

1000

30

30

C
M16x

1.5

Arrangement of the compressor

cleaning device.

Installation of the compressor cleaning

device for an ABB turbocharger of type
RR.

Procedure:

The best results are obtained by injecting

water during full-load operation of the
engine, i. e. when the turbocharger is
running at full speed.
The complete contents of the water
vessel should be injected within 4 to 10
seconds.
Successful cleaning is indicated by a
change in the charge air or scaveng-ing
pressure, and in most cases by a drop in
the exhaust gas temperature. If cleaning
has not produced the desired results, it
can be repeated after 10 minutes.
The interval between compressor
cleanings will depend on the condition of
the turbo charger suction air. It can vary
from 1 to 3 days of operation.

If a very thick layer has built up

and it cannot be removed using
the method described, it will be
necessary to dismantle the
turbocharger in order to clean the
compressor side.

Principle: Since the dirt layer is

removed by the kinetic energy of
the water droplets, the engine has
to be run at full load.

1
Needle valve
C

D1 2
2

2
Shut-off valve

2
2

D2
3
Drain cock
D
3
D3

4
Drain line
D

D
D

1 Air supply (5 6 bar)

Typical wet cleaning installation. Gas
inlet casing with 2 inlets.
2 Container

3 Gate valve

4 Injector

5 Safety valve

Typical dry cleaning installation. Gas

inlet casing with 2 inlets.

Cleaning turbochargers in operation (cont.)

Cleaning the turbine

The combustion of heavy fuel in diesel

engines causes fouling of the turbine
blades and nozzle ring. The result of this
fouling is reduced turbine efficiency and
engine performance as well as an
increase in the exhaust gas temperature.
Experience has shown that the
contamination on the turbine side can be
reduced by regular cleaning in operation,
and that such clean-ing allows longer
intervals between turbocharger overhauls.

Some of the deposits have their origin in

soot, molten ash, scale and unburnt oil,
partially burnt fuel and sodium vanadylvanadat. Investigations have shown that
most of the residues are caused by the
calcium in the lube oil reacting with the
sulfur from the fuel to form calcium sulfate
during the com-bustion process. The
quantity of the deposits depends on the
quality of the combustion, the fuel used
and the lube oil consumption. The
frequency with which cleaning has to be

carried out depends on the extent of the

contamination on the turbine side.

Two cleaning methods exist:

Wet cleaning (water injection)

Dry cleaning (solid particle injection)

10

Procedure for wet cleaning (2- and 4-stroke):

The boost pressure has to be above 0.3 bar to

prevent water entering the turbine end oil
chamber.
The exhaust gas temperature before the turbine
should not exceed 430 C. The drain of the gas
outlet has to be opened to drain the nonevaporated water.
The quantity of injected water will depend on the
exhaust gas tempera-ture, water pressure, size of
the turbo charger and number of gas inlets.
Details can be found in the engine builders
manual or in our instructions. The interval
between turbine cleanings will depend on the
combustion, the fuel used and the fuel oil
consumption. It can vary from 1 to 20 days of
operation.

Procedure for dry cleaning (2-stroke only):

The exhaust gas temperature before the turbine

should not exceed 580 C. The boost pressure
has to be above 0.5 bar.
Dry cleaning has to be carried out more often than
water cleaning as with this method it is only
possible to remove thin layers of deposits. A
cleaning interval of 1 to 2 days is recommended.
To ensure effective mechanical cleaning,
granulated dry cleaning media are best injected
into the turbine at a high turbocharger speed.
The quantity needed will vary from 0.2 l to 3 l,
depending on the size of the turbocharger.
Experience has shown that the best results are
achieved with crushed nutshell or granulate.

Principle: The dirt layer on the turbine

components is removed by thermal shock
rather than the kinetic energy exerted by
the water droplets.

Principle: The layer of deposits on the

turbine components is removed by the
kinetic energy of the granulate causing it
to act as an abrasive.

Devices for both methods are usually

supplied by the engine builder and are
manufactured in accordance with our
recom-mendations. Experience has
shown a combination of the two to be
very effective in some cases.

For further information, please contact

your nearest ABB Turbocharger Service
Station.

Dirty nozzle ring. Cleaning was not carried out according to our recommendations.

11

Oil loss in the oil chamber on the compressor side

Turbo Magazine 1/94 (Article by Michael Alt)

Reports are received from time to time about a sudden oil loss in the oil chamber on the compressor
side. Investigations invariably show that this occurs either after removal of the oil space cover during a
bearing change, after an oil change or after speed control by means of the manual indicator.

The reason for the oil loss is easily explained. During normal running there is a slight underpressure in
the oil chamber on the compressor side. If there is a leakage due to the plugs (1) not being properly
tightened, or if a damaged gasket (2) is reused, the underpressure will not be maintained. Instead,
there will be a flow of air from this leakage to the compressor wheel. This air flow entrains oil from the
oil chamber, leading to the oil loss. We would therefore like to call your attention to the following:
Before mounting the oil space cover, check the condition of the gasket. If there is any damage at all or
you are in doubt about it, replace it. Also, after changing the oil tighten the plugs properly and make
sure that a gasket

is fitted. And when using the manual indicator for speed control, refit the respective plug without any
long delay. If the gauge glass is damaged, replace it as soon as possible.

12

The two most important clearances

Turbo Magazine 2/94 (Article by Hans Brtschi)

Wi
th
dr
aw
be
ari
ng
ab
ou
t5

6
m
m.

Pu
sh
th
e
rot
or
to
wa
rd
s
th
e
co
m
pr
es
so
r.

When rotor clearances are out of tolerance, the rotor

will

not be able to rotate and there will be a risk of

breakdown and serious damage. Exact
measurement of the clearances is necessary in
order to determine that the rotor is in its correct
working position:

Clearances which should be measured when

disassembling and assembling:
Measure dimension K (see Fig. 1).

M
ea
su
re
di
m
en
sio
n
K1
(s
ee
Fi
g.
2).


Pull the rotor towards the turbine.
Fig. 1

Measure dimension K2 (see Fig. 3).

Fig
.3

Fig. 2

L=
K
K1

M
=
K2
K

13

True running of the gear oil and centrifugal oil pumps

Turbo Magazine 1/95

In order to minimize wear and to ensure optimum

lubrication of the bearings, the centrifuge and
nipple should be fitted in such a way that the given
tolerances are not exceeded. For the right
tolerances, refer to the Working Instruction, the

B
B

VTR

Operation Manual or the table below. If the

tolerances are exceeded, dismantle, clean all axial
contact surfaces, turn centrifuge and / or nippel by
180 , reinstall and check again.

184
0.000.04
0.000.03

214
0.000.04
0.000.03

254
0.000.04
0.000.03

304

0.000.05
0.000.03

354
0.000.06
0.000.04

160 / 161
0.000.03
0.000.02

200 / 201
0.000.04
0.000.03

250 / 251
0.000.05
0.000.03

320 / 321
0.000.06

0.000.04

B1
B2
VTR
B1
B2

454

0.000.02
0.000.01

564

0.000.02
0.000.01

714

0.000.02
0.000.01

400
/ 401
0.000.02

0.000.01

500
/ 501-2
0.000.02
0.000.01

630
/ 631-1
0.000.02
0.000.01

750
/ 750 / 751-1
0.000.02
0.000.01

14

A harmless accumulation of particles

Turbo Magazine 2/95 (Article by Edy Wettstein)

Some operators of VTR turbochargers worry when they see a grey-colored cone growing below the opening of the gear oil suction
pump. There is no need to. It is an utterly harmless phenomenon.

A small cone-shaped accumulation of sludge and oil-aging residues, mixed with abrasion particles of steel, aluminum and bronze
originating from the casing, pump and bearing damp-ing parts, often forms just below the opening of the gear oil pump suction pipe.

The residues accumulate at just this spot due to the suction flow current of the working gear oil pump. Most particles just remain
there, but some are sucked through the pump and injected into the centrifuge, which also works as a dirt separator, where they are
finally collected and can be removed during a standard overhaul.

The residues are harmless and have no negative influence on safety or running behavior. No measures need to be taken to reduce
or restrict their formation.

Such a sludge / particle mixture can grow to approximately 14 of a cm3. Its size will depend on the following:
Level of vibration

Newly installed parts

Cleanness of the oil chamber

Purity and quality of the lube oil

Number of running hours

15

Erosion of turbocharger components

Turbo Magazine 1/96 (Article by Jan Bulukin)

Erosion of nozzle and cover rings can be a

problem, par-ticularly for installations that
run on heavy fuel oil. If left unattended, the
erosion will eventually lead to a drop in
turbocharger efficiency and to the
premature replacement of parts.
Mass of large combustion particles in the exhaust
gas

This kind of erosion is caused by particles

being formed during the combustion
process and conveyed to the turbocharger
by the ex haust gas. The quantity and size
of the particles depend on a number of
factors, ranging from the properties of the
fuel to engine operation.

Factors with a major influence on particle

formation are the fuel property CCAI
(Calculated Carbon Aromaticity Index) and
the asphaltene, vanadium and sulfur
content of the fuel oil.

Also significant are the fuel oil preheating,

compression ratio, injection equipment
wear and engine load. The engine part
load, in particular, plays a major role in the
formation of the larger particles causing
erosion (see figure).

20

30
70

Engine load [%]

40

50

60

Recommendations

The best way to avoid erosion is to restrict

the formation of particles.
Start by ensuring that your engine is top
fit.

Have a fuel oil analysis performed by a

noted laboratory. This will help you to avoid
fuels with inferior properties.
If you are running more than one
generator or auxiliary engine, avoid running
them for prolonged periods at low loads
(see figure). If possible, run fewer
generators at higher loads.

If erosion cannot be avoided, you may be

able to fit erosion-resistant coated nozzle
and cover rings. These are available for
several different types and sizes of ABB
turbocharger.

Contact your nearest ABB Service Station

for details.

Note, too, that a leaking turbine-washing

water valve also erodes your turbocharger!

16

How to install bearings with gear oil pumps

Turbo Magazine 2/96 (Article by Bruno Meier)

We have found in the past that when installing

bearings, some customers use the hexagonalhead screws to push the bear-ings into
position. This practice causes damage to the
bearings and may even result in breakdowns!

32107
90030
90031
90050

76022
76021

32114
32100

32150

32151

To correctly install the bearings, follow the

steps below. For more details, see
chapter 5 of the operation manual
Disassembly and Assembly.

Then press the bearing and the centrifuge with the

box spanner (90050) and the shaft-end nut onto the
shaft shoulder.
Release the ring nut using the box spanner.

Take off the fixing tool (90030) with the hex.-head

screws (90031). Tighten the ring nut with the
required torque (see Operating Manual).

First step:

Use only original parts from authorized ABB Turbo

Systems Service Stations.
Clean the bearing space before installing the new
bearing. Before fitting the new bearing, clean the shaft
end thoroughly. Coat with MOLYCOTE D or DX
(white).
Push the bearing (32100) in as far as possible. Fit the
centrifuge (32150).
Coat threads and contact surface of the ring nut
(32151) with MOLYCOTE D or DX (white).
Screw on the ring nut (32151) by hand as far as
possible.

Third step:
Second step:

Fit the fixing tool (90030) using the hex.-head screws

(90031). Press the bearing and the centrifuge with the
box spanner (90050) and the shaft-end nut for max.
two turns onto the shaft.

Fix the hex.-head screws (76021) and washer with

the required torque (see Operating Manual).
Check measurement K.

Check measurements K1 and K2.

Check the true run at the shaft end and pump (for
deflection values, see Operating Manual).

17

Checking oil levels in VTRs with internal lubrication systems

Turbo Magazine 1/97 (Article by Jrg Helbling)

We occasionally receive questions or complaints from operaFoaming of oil in the bearing chambers
tors of diesel engines concerning:
The reasons are:

Excessive foaming may be an indication of contaminated

Unreliable readings of the lubricating oil levels of

oil. Two or three oil changes will usually correct the situation.
VTR-type ABB turbochargers during operation

Foaming is harmless as long as it does not cause loss of oil

The reasons are:

and the oil level can still be seen!

Precise readings of oil levels are only possible when the

If the foam layer is thicker than about 8 10 mm and the oil

engine and turbocharger are at a complete standstill!

level can no longer be observed through the gauge glass,

Caution: Refill the lubricating oil only as far as the top of the

the engine has to be stopped as soon as possible and an

circle or to the upper mark on the gauge glass.

oil change carried out on the turbocharger.

Dropping of oil levels just after new oil has been filled and the engine has been restarted
The reasons are:

When the turbocharger is in operation, some of the oil in the bearing chambers circulates in the internal oil feeding system,
thereby causing lower oil levels in the oil sump (and

not oil losses, as is sometimes suggested!).

Oil losses will, however, occur when the operator decides to

top up with oil during operation and removes the screw

plug of the oil inlet.

Note: This short cut endangers the safe operation of the

turbocharger and is therefore not allowed!

Gasket

Screw plug

Max. oil level

Inspection glass

Min. oil level

with marking

Bearing

space cover

18

Reconditioning of bearings and pumps

Turbo Magazine 2/97 (Article by Edy Wettstein)

Did you know that you can send your old VTR
bearings and gear oil pumps for reconditioning
after their operational service life has expired?

The operational service life is the full period of

operation, given in hours, specified for a
bearing or pump. After this period, the bearing
or pump has to be checked, reconditioned,
reset and tested before it can be put back into
service for another full period of operation.

The service lives of bearings and pumps

depend on the bear-ing type and the type of
installation. Gear oil pumps, for example, have
a set operational service life of 16,000 h for all
types, specifications and sizes.

In the case of roller contact bearings, the

operational service life depends on the type
and specification of the bearing, on the
temperature and oil quality, and also on the
type of opera-tion and installation. It usually
lies between 8,000 h and a maximum of
16,000 h, after which the bearings have to be
reconditioned.

ABB has equipped 19 of its total of over 90

Service Stations around the globe especially
for such work. Each of these 19 centers has a
dedicated crew specially trained in bearing
and pump reconditioning. All ABB Service
Stations adhere to strict guidelines and
procedures, while regular audits are carried
out by headquarters. The centers also benefit
from the use of stan-dardized high-precision
equipment, tools and testing machines.

Reconditioning means that the races or plain

bearing body will be entirely renewed in every
case, while the remaining parts,

Sydney, Australia
Mumbai, India
Madrid, Spain
Santos, Brazil
Genova, Italy
Gothenburg, Sweden
Montreal, Canada
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Istanbul, Turkey
Marseille, France
Oporto, Portugal
Dubai, UAE
Hamburg, Germany
Singapore, Singapore
Miami, USA
Telford, Great Britain
Cape Town, South Africa

Piraeus, Greece
Busan, South Korea

Situation as of 2008 for the latest status on ABB

Turbocharging Service Stations equipped to recondition
VTR bearings and pumps, please contact:
turbocharging@ch.abb.com

ABB Service Stations

ABB reconditioning centers

such as the casings flanges and bushes, will

be thoroughly cleaned and reworked when
necessary. All the parts are then carefully
measured and checked on the basis of the
given specifications, dimensions and
procedures. In addition to car-rying out a very
detailed inspection of the relevant parts, it is
essential for reliable operation that the axial
clearance S and the axial position A be set
precisely.

for bearings and pumps

ABB guarantees the same operational life for

an ABB-recondi-tioned bearing or pump as for
an all-new unit.
ABB reconditioning centers for bearings and pumps

Save money and send your old bearings and

pumps to one of the specialized Service

Stations listed here for a professional

reconditioning job.

19

Wrap your old bearings and pumps carefully

and protect them with some oil when sending
them for reconditioning, since credit notes can
only be given for reconditionable parts, and
not for parts that are completely corroded or
broken!

Tightening the ring nut at the turbine end

Turbo Magazine 1/98 (Article by Hans Baertschi)
Tighten the shaft-end nut by
striking the tommy bar with

the copper mandrel until 23 of the

second mark on the box spanner
coincides with the mark on the
centrifuge.

Note: To ensure more concentric

running, turn the rotor 180 with
the box spanner and ring nut
between each blow with the
mandrel.

Experience with the VTR 454-714 has shown that

a tightening angle equal to 23 of the angle of
rotation is sufficient
when tightening the shaft-end nut at the turbine
end. When tightening, use the copper mandrel
(90048) as the striking tool.

Procedure

Position the box spanner and make a mark on

the centrifuge in the radial extension of the O
mark (see sketch).

Box spanner

Tommy bar

Copper mandrel

VTR 454714

20

The LA36/LA70 bearing generation

Turbo Magazine 2/98 (Article by Karl-Jakob Brem)
are of the new design, even the reconditioned
bearings. Take advantage of this success and
ask for the new bearing LA36 or LA70.

The antifriction bearings (LA36 / LA70) are made

of a special heat- and wear-resistant material,
with the ball retaining cages made of high
strength steel and centered on both sides. The
bearing generation is the result of a very close
co-operation with our bearing supplier. From the
start, it has performed excellently and its
reliability has proved outstanding. Based on
these results, ABB has decided to install this
bearing gen-eration in all production
turbochargers. In order to let the turbocharger
operator participate in this success all bearings
supplied by ABB since 1998 for any VTR . . 4
turbocharger

LA36 is our designation for the bearing assembly

used in the VTR 564 families and smaller, while
LA70 is the designation for the VTR 714 bearing
assembly available also as an option for VTR 454
and VTR 564. Why two designations? The LA70
represents a step into the future. Apart from the
described features of the new bearing, it also has
a revolutionary bearing support. The special
geometry of the support is able to com-pensate
and absorb possible inclinations of the support
flange. The squeeze film damper (no wear!)
provides excellent damping of shaft movements
the result of an oil film between the bearing
flange and the support flange. This con-siderably

reduces the forces on the bearing compared with

the former radial damping shims. The optimized
geometry allows a better definition of the loads
acting on the bearings, thus eliminating any
unpredictable load conditions. The same support
is also available on the turbine side (TA07) in
combi-nation with the roller bearing.

The tip for the operator!

21

The LA36 / LA70 bearing generation leads to a

slight increase in oil temperature at the same
operating point compared
to older style bearings. This is the result of the
better heat exchange achieved with the new
bearing geometry. A higher lubrication oil
temperature causes the oil to age faster, often
evidenced by rapid discoloration of the oil. It is
therefore recommended that a lubrication oil of
the latest generation (e. g. synthetic oils) be used
with the new bearings. Any ABB Service Station
can provide you with updated informa-tion on the
most suitable oils.

Lubricating oil for turbochargers

Turbo Magazine 1/99

Due to the fact that oil

temperatures with bearing
types LA36 / TA04 and LA70 /
TA07 are higher than with the
LA34 bearings, we strongly
recommend use of one of the
synthetic lube oils given below.

For high-performance
turbochargers (i. e. VTR . . 4P,
VTR . . 4D, VTR . . 4E, a
special low friction synthetic oil
has to be used (see below).

The same applies to standard

VTR . . 4 units if the
turbocharger speed nBmax
exceeds the values specified
in the table above and / or the
compression ratio exceeds C >
3.5. Failure by the operator to
comply with this
recommendation could have
negative consequences for the
operation of the turbocharger.

Synthetic oils

Max. interval between oil

changes 5000 hours: Castrol
Aircol CT 68, Castrol Aircol
SN 68, Chevron Synthetic
Compressor Oil Tegra 68, Elf
Barelf CH 68, Exxon / Esso
Synesstic 68, Kuwait
Schurmann 68, Nyco
Nycolube 3060.

Special low friction synthetic

oils

Max. interval between oil

changes 5000 hours: Agip
Dicrea SX 68, BP Enersyn
TC-S 68, Elf Barelf SM 68,
Mobil Rarus SHC 1026, Shell
Corena AS 68 (ex Madrela
AS 68), Texaco Cetus PAO
68.

Max. interval between oil

changes 3000 hours: Shell
Corena AP 68 (ex Madrela
AP 68).

Oil change intervals

The intervals between oil

changes for turbo chargers are
given in the engine-builders
manual. Other operating
temperature levels may
reduce the maximum interval
between changes. Under no
circumstances should the
maximum intervals given
above be exceeded.

Oil discoloration

A synthetic oil may darken

without losing its lubricating

properties. The discoloration

can range from red to dark
purple to dark brown and
nearly black. Quick darkening
to black within a 12-hour

period could be a sign of a

mechanical defect. In such a
case, the cause of the
darkening should be investigated immediately.

Turbocharger speed at 100 % engine load nBmax

VTR
184
214
254
304
354
454
564
714
nBmax [1 / s]
726
611
514
433
364
289
230
183

22

Silencers disassembling and assembling

Turbo Magazine 2/99 (Article by Julian Withers)

Field experience has shown that when disassembling and assembling the silencers (PN81100) fitted to the VTC . . 4, the castaluminum cone of the front funnel is susceptible to damage if incorrectly handled. This can lead to the cone

breaking away during operation, causing turbocharger failure.

Recommendation

Due to the confined working area and the lifting positions available on fast ferries, use of the silencer lifting brackets shown in the
VTC . . 4 Operation Manual, chap. 5, sect. 3.1, is not always possible.

Extreme caution should therefore be taken when disassem-bling and assembling the silencer to ensure that the silencer does not
strike the cone area of the aluminum front funnel.

When removed from the turbo charger, the filter silencer must not be allowed to rest on the cone of the silencer. It should also be
suitably protected when stored or in transit. If it is thought that the cone area may have been struck or dam-aged, it is
recommended that a dye penetrate crack inspec-tion be carried out before it is returned to service. When replacing the silencer,
care must be taken to avoid contact with the compressor. In the event of the compressor being struck, the silencer should be
removed and inspected for cracks. If there are signs of cracks the front funnel has to be replaced.

23

Broken protection sleeves can damage blades

Turbo Magazine 1/00 (Article by Heinz Waelti)

Signs of the following damage on a turbocharger could indi-cate a problem with the protection
sleeves in the compen-sators. If they start to break away, they could damage the blades as
shown. To avoid further damage, please check all of the compensators (it will be necessary to
balance the rotor). Please contact your nearest Service Station.

24

Cleaning TPS filter-silencer parts

Turbo Magazine 2/00 (Article by Edi Wettstein)

81135

The filtration mats and silencer parts become

dirty after a time (this depends, of course, on
the quality and quantity of the
air passing through the filter silencer
system). If the contami-nation of the mats
and silencer parts exceeds a certain limit, the
turbocharger can enter a so-called surging
state, which is characterized by instability of
the airflow and is noticeable as an
unpleasant howling or barking noise.

81137

81136

To prevent such a disturbing and obviously

unwanted running condition, filtration mats
81265 can be removed and washed before
being re-used. The washing procedure can
be repeated as often as 5 times, after which
the mats should be replaced by new ones.
To ensure safe operation, always install a
clean filtration mat while washing and drying
the soiled one. Filtration mats can be
ordered in double packs from any ABB
Service Station.

However, do not wash the silencer segment

parts 81136 / 37, which should be cleaned
only by brushing or using com-pressed air. To
replace heavily soiled and worn segments,
contact any of our Service Stations.

81265 (Option)

81266

Washing procedure

Remove filtration mats 81265 from filter/silencer body.

Prepare a bucket with water at approx. 40 C and add

some washing powder.
Launder the mats by soaking them for approximately
15 minutes, rinse them with fresh, clean water, and
finally squeeze them out carefully.
Do not subject them to any high mechanical stress by
wringing them out strongly or by cleaning them with a
powerful water jet.
Dry the mats thoroughly before fitting them back on
the silencer body.

25

Emergency operation of turbochargers

Turbo Magazine 1/02 (Article by Kbi Brem)

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Although ABB turbochargers are built to the

highest standards and every care is taken
to ensure their safe and reliable operation,
they are not always immune to failure. This
can be especially annoying if the engine
cannot be taken out of service or the time
for repair is too short because the engine
power is still needed.

We recommend that you familiarize

yourself with the instruc-tions for
emergency operation as given in the
Turbocharger Operation Manual or in the
engine manual before beginning. You
could also prepare the blanking device in
advance and run through the procedure
for fitting it in an emergency.

For further information, please contact

your nearest ABB Service Station.
Did you know that the turbocharger could
be blanked off with-out affecting the power
more than is absolutely necessary? For
example, with our new TPL turbo charger,
the cartridge group (rotor block, Fig. 1) can
be removed and the open gas outlet casing
closed with a blanking cover (Fig. 2). This
will allow the engine to at least be used
with a lower power until the next repair
opportunity arises.

In an emergency you could make the

blanking cover yourself, following the
instructions in the ABB Turbocharger
Operation Manual (see section on Taking
turbochargers out of opera-tion).

Recommendation

Caution

The turbocharger oil supply pipes of the

blanked turbocharger have to be closed!
In cases where several turbochargers
on one engine discharge into a common
air receiver, the air-outlet of the damaged
turbocharger must be blanked off!
The maximum speed of the turbo
charger(s) remaining in operation must be
observed at all times!

For details, please consult the

ABB Turbocharger Operation Manual.

26

Turbine washing the right way

Turbo Magazine 1/04 (Article by Sebastian Herrmann)

Cool-down
Washing
Drying

load

Engine
15 min. 10 min. 15 min.

Time

higher gas inlet temperatures before the

turbocharger turbines. Because of this, operators
need to be more careful when cleaning their
turbochargers. It is especially important to wait long
enough for the turbine to cool down to the right
tempera-ture and, after washing, to wait for it to dry
again before the turbocharger is returned to normal
load operation. Special attention should also be
given to the intervals be tween clean-ing.

Caution

Field experience has shown that how and when a

turbo-chargers turbine is cleaned can greatly affect
the engine out-put. The right cleaning method and
right cleaning intervals are therefore important for
optimization of engine performance.

The trend towards higher engine outputs has led to a

parallel increase in the exhaust-gas temperature,
and thus to

Washing a turbine which is still at a high gas-inlet

temperature and / or too frequent washing can cause
cracks and deforma-tion of the turbine-end
components, thereby drastically short-ening their
useful life.

ABB recommends waiting for a certain length of time (see

diagram) before and after washing. Wait at least 10 minutes
(preferably 15 minutes) after reducing the temperature before
injecting water, and again after washing to give the material
time to adapt to the exhaust-gas temperature. Following this
procedure will significantly reduce stressing of the turbine and
other components exposed to the exhaust gas, as well as
reduce the formation of thermal cracks.

Washing the turbine of VTR and TPL turbochargers

Before washing the turbine, make sure that the exhaust-gas

temperature is not higher than 430 C (in the case of thermal
shock cleaning of the TPL, not higher than 500 C).

27

If HFO-quality fuel is being used, we advise you to plan your

cleaning inter-vals according to your actual needs. The less
often a turbine is cleaned the less it will be stressed by thermal
cycles, but the more contaminated it will be. We recommend an
iterative approach to this problem using the exhaust-gas
temperature and pressure as indicators and based on your own
experience of the installation.

Feel free to consult your local ABB Service Partner if

you require assistance.

Early warning of inducer wheel failure

Turbo Magazine 1/05 (Article by Norbert Mlekusch)
the exhaust gas) and / or salt (in the intake air).

ABB has introduced the so-called SIKO program for evaluating the lifetime
of the most heavily

loaded rotor components the impeller wheel and turbine shaft.

Inducer wheels are not subjected to the kind of

loads that some other turbocharger components1
have to withstand, which is why the rating plate on
VTR / VTC turbochargers gives no replacement
intervals for them. However, the main and splitter
blades of the inducer wheels are susceptible to
damage in the form of high cycle fatigue (HCF).

Metallurgical investigations have shown that an

initial cause of blade fracture can be pitting
corrosion, leading to notch effect. Pitting
originates when the turbocharger is at standstill
and is caused by water-soluble residues such as
sulfur (in

Recommendation

Critical corrosive attack can be detected by means

of non-destructive checks. ABB therefore

recommends periodic fluorescent penetrant

inspections on the inducer blade sur-faces (if this
is not possible, the blades can be dye-checked).
The results of these inspections might indicate that
it is necessary to replace the inducer wheel
immediately or during the next overhaul as a
precaution against sudden failure.

If you should require any assistance, please do

not hesitate to contact your local ABB service
partner.

1 Damaged inducer wheel | 2 Close-up of a broken splitter bladel | 3 Pitting corrosion revealed on inducer wheel blades by
fluorescent penetrant inspection | 4 Pitting corrosion (detail)

28

Engine performance deterioration after turbocharger overhauls?

Turbo Magazine 2/05 (Article by Thomas Knuesel)

Occasionally, reports are received from the field noting a minor deterioration in engine performance following a turbo - charger
overhaul. What operators generally notice is a slight increase in exhaust gas temperature right after the engine cylinders or in the
mean temperature level just before the turbo-charger(s). In some cases, the temperature increase has even activated the engine
control systems high-temperature alarm. As this can give the impression that the turbocharger overhaul hasnt been done
properly, it is important for operators to understand the phenomenon.

Modern engines are designed with high power densities and have a tendency to be sensitive to even minor changes in the
combustion process. The highest possible turbocharger efficiency and performance would be achieved in the ideal case of zero
clearance between the turbine blade tips and turbine diffuser (cover ring). Obviously, this is not possible in practice, as there has
to be a certain clearance for free shaft rotation and movement.

Layer of scale deposited on a turbine diffuser

Build-up of contamination

In normal engine operation, and especially when heavy fuel oil

is burnt, the turbochargers turbine blades, diffuser and other

exhaust gas components are subjected to wear and tear as a

result of erosion and / or corrosion caused by the gases and
the particles they carry. Also, during operation, a layer of scale
is deposited on the turbine diffuser, thereby reducing the gap (i.
e. clearance) between the turbine blade tips and diffuser.

What operators can do

In cases where high-temperature alarms are triggered after a

turbocharger overhaul, ABB recommends either replacing
Chemical analysis of the contamination from some installations burning heavy fuel oil has shown that it is composed of
sodium vanadylvanadate compounds. These chemicals promote high-temperature corrosion on metal surfaces exposed to
temperatures in the range of 530 C to 630 C. The
contaminants can also be very hard, so that contact with the
turbine blades causes the blade tips to wear.

The layer of scale is usually removed during a turbocharger

overhaul. However, in cases where there has been tip erosion
the tip clearance may afterwards exceed the tolerance limits,
causing a slight drop in the turbines rotational speed and a
loss of efficiency. After the turbocharger is returned to opera-

tion, new scale rapidly builds up on the diffuser and quickly

compensates for the additional clearance. Optimal performance is usually regained within a few days.

29

the components or reconditioning the turbine blades. A feasible, and more economical, alternative would be to refrain from
cleaning the entire surface of the turbine diffuser. Simply clean
the high spots (e. g. by wiping them with sandpaper) so that

a base layer of contamination remains. If this method is preferred, we recommend that you always keep the rotor and the
turbine diffuser together as a pair.

Providing the turbine is cleaned regularly during operation, the

formation and flaking off of deposits should balance out in time,
with no further increase in deposits and reduction / stabilization
of blade tip wear.

V-clamp connections on TPS turbochargers Turbo

Magazine 3/05 (Article by Thomas Knuesel)

1 Severe wear at screw-head | 2 Deformed or wrong washer | 3 Cover tape detached | 4 Cover tape severely deformed

Check regularly
TPS 57, TPS 52 and TPS 48 turbochargers delivered
since October 2000, September 2003 and October
2003, respec-tively, have bolted casing connections, i.
e. bolts connect the turbine casing to the bearing
casing and the bearing casing to the compressor
casing. TPS 57, TPS 52 and TPS 48 turbo-chargers
delivered before these dates have their casings connected by V-clamps.

On some TPS units where V-clamps are used, it has

been noticed that these are not fastened properly. If
the torque used to tighten the hexagon socket screw is
not correct, the casings and internal components can
move, causing gas to leak. On engines where this has
happened, it was also often noticed that the structure
supporting the exhaust-gas system after the
turbocharger was not rigid enough.

Signs of insufficient clamping are minor gas leakage

and / or slight signs of wear on the nozzle ring lugs
with corresponding grooves on the turbine casing.

ABB recommends that operators regularly check the

tighten-ing torque and fit of the V-clamps as well as
the fit of the casing flanges on all TPS turbochargers
with this type of con-nection at intervals of 500 to
1,000 running hours. The recommended tightening
torque in every case is 60 Nm.

As a precaution, V-clamps on the turbine side should

be replaced during every standard turbocharger
overhaul. Immediate replacement is advised in the
event of damage of the kind shown in the photos.

Detailed instructions for cartridge group replacements

and for replacing V-clamps can be found in chapter 5
of the TPS Turbocharger Operation Manual.

If you require further help, please contact one of our

Service Stations.

30

Dont worry about dry cleaning!

Turbo Magazine 1/06 (Article by Norbert Mlekusch)

Periodical dry cleaning is the most effective and

economical method of cleaning turbocharger
turbines on two-stroke engines. Providing the
recommended materials (e. g. nutshells), and
also original spare parts, are always used, ABB is
confi-dent that no erosion of the turbine parts will
occur as a result of this method of cleaning.

ABB bases this assurance on extensive field

experience and on the fact that since dry cleaning
lasts no more than 20 seconds, even if it is
performed 250 times a year the turbine parts will
be subjected to impact by the cleaning material
for less than 2 hours. This is negligible compared
with the yearly running time of about 6,000 hours.

Erosion due to particles in the ex haust gas

usually occurs on small segments of the turbine
diffuser and outer hoop of the nozzle ring, equal
to about 15 to 25 % of the total circumfer-ence.
The wear starts more or less opposite the single
radial gas inlet and then continues clockwise
around the turbine (viewed from the turbine side).
The tips of the turbine blades can also be
affected, with all of them showing equal signs of
wear.

Worn turbine diffuser. Worn turbine blade tips and turbine diffuser.

31

Cleaning a turbochargers turbine when and why

Turbo Magazine 2/06 (Article by Sebastian Herrmann)

Cleaning whats the point? Dont things just get

dirty again? No-one whos seen a turbocharger
turbine after just a few hundred hours of operation,
especially when the engine burns HFO or some other
low-grade fuel, would ever doubt it. Thats why ABB
recommends regular cleaning of the turbocharger
during normal operation.

Why does the turbine get so dirty?

The gas given off by heavy fuel oil during combustion

contains particles that attach themselves to every
part of the exhaust gas system. In the turbocharger
these particles stick to the turbine blades and nozzle
ring, forming a layer of dirt which reduces the turbine
area and causes a drop in efficiency. To limit this
effect, the turbine has to be cleaned during operation, at intervals of 48 to 500 hours.

1 Components still very clean: cleaning intervals could be longer | 2 Components are sufficiently clean: no changes needed | 3
Components too dirty: shorten cleaning intervals

32

How often is too often?

Getting the cleaning intervals right for 4-stroke

applications isnt always easy. If washing is carried
out too often the cleaning results will be good, but the
thermal cycles increase. This causes material stress
and may impact component durability, especially if
the washing temperature is too high (thermal stress
can cause cracking; the more thermal cycles, the
faster the cracks develop and propagate.)

What happens if I wait?

If, instead, the intervals between washing are too

long more dirt will build up, causing a drop in turbo
charger efficiency, blockage and an increase in the
exhaust gas temperature. The layer of dirt can also
harden. If this happens it can only be removed by
usually unscheduled mechanical cleaning of the
turbine-side parts!

Getting the balance right

In both cases there is a financial impact: Too frequent

washing results in a loss of availability (due to the
necessary load reductions) while worn out parts have
to be replaced more often; too long intervals between
washing also lead to a loss of availability (due to the
unscheduled downtime for mechani-cal cleaning),
and then theres the cost of the work itself.

Each of these situations can be avoided by working

with the engine builder and ABB to set up an
application-specific wash-ing schedule. This involves
first watching some key operating parameters
turbocharger speed (rpm), exhaust gas tempera-ture
directly before the turbine (C) and air outlet pressure
(bar) after the compressor and observing the trend.
For a given engine reference load, the values should
remain within certain limits (normally provided by the
engine builder). If they stray outside these limits, wet
cleaning should be carried out. During the first 2 or 3
service jobs, photos can be taken of the turbine and
nozzle ring to compare their state, noting each time
the fuel used and the actual cleaning interval. With
this documented information available, the operator
is in a better position to judge whether the cleaning
interval should be longer or shorter.

33

Is your engine room turbocharger service friendly?

Turbo Magazine 1/07 (Article by Kbi Brem)
Nice to have

In its manuals for engine- and ship-builders, ABB

therefore includes recommendations on how to
arrange the space around the turbo chargers.
The manuals give the size of the area that needs
to be kept free for disassembly and the
movement of parts and also suggests locations
for the rail-ings, where cranes should be
positioned, or where chain blocks are needed
above the turbochargers.

By following these guidelines, ship owners

ensure a service-friendly environment with a
genuine payback in terms of time, and thus
costs, saved. And it reduces the risk of damage

to key turbocharger parts, the repair or

replacement of which could upset a ships sailing
schedule. Last but not least, shipowners who
take the guidelines to heart underline their
concern for safety. Accidents are less likely when
the

large, heavy turbocharger parts can be properly

lifted and manoeuvred around the ship.

The real world

Life in a ships engine room follows more or less

a fixed pattern: machines and their component
parts cylinder heads, fuel injectors, and
especially the all-important turbo - chargers
have to be regularly checked, maintained and
cleaned.

In order to work quickly and efficiently, turbo

charger service engineers must be able to move
freely around the machines on a conveniently
placed platform and have cranes at their
disposal for the disassembly and reassembly.
These should be positioned precisely above the
centreline of the turbo - chargers. Deck
openings and on board cranes should also be
provided at convenient locations in case turbo
charger parts have to be moved to and from the
engine room.

The real world, however, can look very different;

railings end above the last cylinder head, or there
are not enough lifting points for chain blocks,
making it impossible to work effec-tively.

A poorly designed working environment badly

positioned or too few lifting lugs, railings that get
in the way, platforms at the wrong height not
only increases the risk of damage to the parts
being handled. Moving heavy turbocharger parts
under such conditions is also a safety hazard.

What operators can do

Operators who work regularly with service

engineers see the problems and understand the
extra costs they can incur over a ships lifetime.
On ships lacking the necessary amenities

for efficient servicing, it is both in the operators

interest and in the shipowners financial interests
to bring the engine room infrastructure up to
standard. By reporting to the ships superintendent whats missing or needs changing, the
operator

can help to ensure his vessels reliable and

economic opera-tion while at the same time
contributing to better on-board safety conditions.
Passed on up the chain of communication, the
information can also be useful during the design
of future ships.

34

Keeping TPL nozzle rings in good shape

Turbo Magazine 2/07 (Article by Georg Schlagwein)
With the TPL turbocharger ABB has achieved an
optimum balance that raises the thermodynamic
efficiency to a new level. A result of this is the
possible occurrence of hairline cracks on the
nozzle ring early in its operational life. These
cracks, which are perfectly normal and no cause
for alarm, grow to a certain length and then come
to a stop.

Guidelines for spotting potential problems

All ABB Turbocharging Service Stations are in

possession of guidelines for assessing the
condition of your nozzle rings. Operators have
expressed satisfaction with the results of these
assessments, and there have been no reports of
dam-age as a result of the nozzle ring blades
breaking. Never-theless, there are some important
things operators can do to minimize the risk of
larger cracks in the blades.

Risk factor washing

Hairline cracks are occasionally noticed on TPL

turbocharger nozzle rings after they have been in
operation for some time. These are perfectly
normal, but operators can prevent them from
becoming a problem by following the
recommended pro-cedures for turbine-side
washing.

Thermodynamic design is all about balancing

efficiency and mechanical integrity.
Thermodynamic considerations require
turbocharger blades to be as thin as possible,
which means pushing the mechanical integrity of
the turbine and nozzle ring blades to its limits in
order to maximize efficiency.

Special care should be taken every time turbineside washing is carried out. Washing the wrong
way by not following the proper procedures, even
only once, is enough to cause defor-mation and
serious cracking in the nozzle ring blades. This is
because the sudden injection of water causes a
sharp drop in blade temperature, producing
enormous thermal stresses in the blade material.
When this happens, cracks hairline, but possibly
also larger ones are a form of natural stress
relief. If you have any doubts about the cracks in
your nozzle rings, we advise you to contact your
ABB Service Station. A risk assessment will show if
any further investigation is necessary.

Repair-welding isnt the answer

Some operators have tried repair-welding small,

harmless cracks on the nozzle ring. Visually, this
can look good, but it has no positive long-term
effect and is not recommended by ABB. As already
mentioned, hairline cracks are a natural form of
stress relief, which repair welds remove, with the
result that the welds will very likely break again
shortly after the turbo-charger is returned to
operation. Also, theres always the risk with
welding of extra thermal stress, with its negative
effect on the base material.

Hairline cracks are a normal occurrence, but check with ABB

if you are unsure.

35

Ever wanted to change the turbocharger spec on an older

engine? Turbo Magazine 1/08 (Article by Shailesh Shirsekar)

It can be tempting to just change the turbocharger spec on an

older engine thats no longer running at full power. Heres why
you shouldnt.

Its not unusual for older engines to run at something less than
their full rated power. Often, the reason for this is excessively
high cylinder exhaust temperatures, resulting in hotter than
normal exhaust gases at the turbocharger inlet.

A quick-fix, but with risks

While there can be several possible reasons for the high

exhaust temperatures, operators are often tempted to go for a
quick-fix solution and simply change the specifications of the
turbocharger (a favorite choice is to install a smaller nozzle ring
to boost the engines power). However, this can be risky, and if
its not done in consultation with the engine builder and ABB, it
can easily do more harm than good.

Turbochargers and engines are always matched

The turbocharger specifications for a particular engine type are

agreed upon jointly by ABB and the engine builder. Tests are
carried out with the turbocharger on the engine builders test
bed and the results are analyzed by application engineers in
both companies. Adjustment of the specifications and more
matching tests are sometimes required before the engine
builder and ABB reach final agreement on the engine performance and the turbocharger specifications.

Do not change the turbocharger spec

unless the engine builder has given you
the o.k. to do so.

Turbocharger components like the turbine, nozzle ring, turbine

diffuser, compressor wheel and air diffuser, all influence the
thermodynamic behavior of the engine in some way or another.
Changing the specifications of these components can there-fore
have a negative effect on the expected lifetime of the rotating
components (SIKO parts) or on the thermal or mechan-ical
loading of the engine components, possibly leading to poorer
engine performance. Turbocharger surging and over-speed
could also occur as a result.

Any changes to the specifications of turbochargers on IMOcertified marine diesel engines which could affect the engines
thermodynamic behavior require re-certification, as they would
influence the engine emissions. Non-compliance may result in
classification societies withdrawing their approval to operate.

What you can do

If you are faced with this dilemma, the rule is simple: Ask the
engine builder for advice.

The engine builder will probably consult ABB, as final approval

for the specification change has to be obtained from an application engineer at ABB Turbo Systems in Baden, Switzerland.
When the engine builder and ABB agree on what to do, the next
step can be taken. And it shouldnt be long before your engines
running at full power again.

36

Just had a VTR with self-lubricated bearings overhauled?

Check the lube oil!
Turbo Magazine 2/08 (Article by Norbert Mlekusch)

Some good advice: Every time you

drain the lube oil check it for
impurities.

Its essential to check that everythings all right after an

over-haul of a VTR turbocharger with self-lubricated
rolling-contact bearings, whether the bearings were
replaced or not. Heres how.

Theres one extra thing that its important to do to verify

and ensure trouble-free operation after a VTR with selflubricated bearings has been overhauled, regardless of
who does the work: After about 100 running hours, with
the engine at standstill, drain and check the condition of
the lube oil at both the compressor and the turbine end
of the turbo charger.

See anything unusual?

First make sure the containers for catching the oil are
absolutely clean. After draining the lube oil into the
containers, check the oil for anything unusual, like metal
particles. After 100 hours running time the oil should still
look perfect. If it doesnt and you see metal particles,
contact your nearest ABB Service Station and request
an inspection. If the inspection shows that somethings
not right, ask for a correction.

Follow all instructions

If inspection and subsequent correction by an ABB

Service Station arent possible, replace both bearings as
a precaution. This work has to be done in accordance
with the instructions in the Operation Manual. Then
check the lube oil again after about 100 running hours
for signs of anything unusual. Pro-viding everything
looks good, refill with fresh lube oil. After-wards, carry
out oil changes according to the engine builders
instructions.

Drain the lube oil at both ends. The oil should look like this.

37

Copy parts Learning the hard way

Turbo Magazine 1/09 (Article by Holger Markow)
Stressed-out and out of shape

What can happen when a copy part is fitted was

shown recently on a ship whose VTR 454
turbocharger failed just a few thousand hours
after being overhauled. A turbine blade had
ruptured, causing extensive, and costly,
damage. On inspection, the failed blade was
found to be a copy part, and closer examination
showed that it had a number of deficiencies.

Turbine blades have complex geometries and

any deviations can quickly affect their
mechanical integrity. A geometric com-parison
(Fig. 1) of the failed copy part (grey) and an
ABB refer-ence turbine blade (red) revealed the
following:

The foot geometry of the copy part differed

distinctly, caus-ing excessive stress-loading in
this vital area of the blade.
The difference in the geometry of the copy
parts blade foil meant that the turbocharger
could never have achieved the original
thermodynamic performance.

Risk-taking can be fun ask a bungeejumper! But its a dif-ferent kind of risk, and can
be a very costly mistake, when copy parts are
chosen over OEM spare parts for machinery as
important as a turbocharger.

Copy parts might look at first like a chance to

save money, but they are a temptation best
avoided where turbochargers are concerned.
Large turbo rotors spin at nearly 10,000 revs
per minute, and massive forces test the
strength and perfor-mance of the rotating parts
and bearings. Even just a small deviation from
an OEM parts material properties, geometry or
tolerances can quickly lead to component
failure, with serious, and costly, consequences.

 Copy parts may be cheaper up front, but how

many times will you need to replace them
during the expected lifetime of a higher-quality
OEM spare part?
What about the cost of the unplanned
downtime?

Will the pirate be there for you when the

copy part breaks?

Have a clear conscience

Metallographic examination of the failed blade
(Figs. 2 and 3) also showed clearly that the
reason for the rupture was poros-ity in the
material around the hole for the damping wire,
which is where the damage occurred (LE =
leading edge, SS = suc-tion side).

The only way to be sure you get the most out of

your turbo - chargers over their planned lifetime
is to always ask for original ABB spare parts.
Copy parts are product piracy. At best, they will
reduce the lifetime of your turbo chargers.

Three questions worth asking

At worst, see above!

This operator learned his lesson the hard way:

Non-OEM parts are not worth the risk! Always
ask for genuine ABB spare parts for
maintenance jobs, and watch out for the
protected ABB trademark logo.

Fig. 1

LE

SS

SS

LE

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

38

Maintaining high turbo efficiency

Turbo Magazine 2/09 (Article by Shailesh Shirsekar)
Turbocharger efficiency

For an engine to achieve and maintain its rated power

output both the engine and the turbocharging system
have to oper-ate with highest efficiency. A drop in
engine performance can have any number of causes,
but there are some rules which, if followed, should
keep your turbos running with maximum efficiency.

Problems with engine performance must not

necessarily have their origin in the engine or the
turbocharger. The root cause could be anywhere in the
system, from the atmospheric air suction filters to the
exhaust gas manifold, and these should also be
checked for faults and / or blockage.

+2%

TC efficiency after service

TC efficiency before service

Test rig

data

Compression ratio

How a turbocharger works

Turbochargers have a turbine and a compressor

wheel mounted on the same shaft. The engines
exhaust gases flow through a gas inlet casing and
nozzle ring to the turbine wheel, whose rotation
drives the compressor wheel. This draws in fresh
air, which is compressed and then forced into the
engines cylinders. The exhaust gas afterwards
escapes to the outside air through the exhaust
manifold, which is con-nected to the gas outlet
casing. The air needed for a diesel engine to
operate is drawn in through a suction branch or a
filter silencer into the compressor wheel. It then
passes through a diffuser and leaves the
turbocharger via the air outlet casing.

Make sure of regular service

The service intervals given in the Operation

Manual should be kept to. Besides ensuring
trouble-free operation until the next service is due,
regular service is essential if turbocharger
efficiency is to remain high. For example, if the
clearance between the turbine blade tips and the
diffuser is too large,

From this description of how a turbocharger works

it is possible to derive three basic rules for keeping
its efficiency at the highest level.

exhaust gas will tend to bypass the turbine and

escape through the gap without doing any work.
Less energy is then trans-ferred to the turbine,
leading to a drop in turbine efficiency. Regular
service ensures that the clearances remain within
tolerance.

Keep all components clean

Ensure that specifications are correct

It is important for all the turbocharger components

to be kept in good, clean condition. The turbine
and compressor side components should be
cleaned during operation by means of regular wet
or dry cleaning, as applicable. Continued operation with dirty components can lead to a significant
drop in turbocharger efficiency and / or surging,
rotor unbalance and eventual failure.

The turbocharger specifications for a particular

engine type are agreed upon by ABB and the
engine builder after a series of matching tests.
Since they define the optimum efficiency of the
engine-turbocharger system, any changes to the
compo-nent specifications will reduce the
turbocharger efficiency. This is in addition to the
negative impact on the expected life-time of the
rotating components (SIKO parts), increased thermal loading of the engine components and the
possibility of surging and turbo charger overspeed.

39

ABB Turbocharging Service network

2010 ABB Turbo Systems Ltd, Baden / Switzerland

CHTUS-1320-1012-EN PDF

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Fax:
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E-mail:
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