Temperature Is Our Business

Marine Applications: Temperature and Heating Solutions for Harsh Environments

 

The marine industry presents some of the most demanding operational environments for electrical and heating equipment. From the corrosive effects of saltwater to extreme temperature fluctuations and constant vibration, marine applications require specialized solutions that can withstand conditions that would quickly destroy standard industrial equipment.

The Unique Challenges of Marine Environments

Marine environments create a perfect storm of challenging conditions that test the limits of electrical components. Saltwater exposure leads to accelerated corrosion, while the constant motion of vessels creates persistent vibration that can cause mechanical failure in poorly designed systems. Temperature variations from engine rooms to refrigerated cargo holds demand equipment that can perform reliably across wide thermal ranges.

The consequences of equipment failure at sea extend far beyond simple downtime. A failed temperature sensor in a ship's engine room could lead to catastrophic engine damage, while heating system failures in offshore platforms can compromise both safety and operational efficiency. This reality drives the need for marine-grade components that prioritize reliability above all else.

Specialized Cable Solutions for Marine Applications

Cables used within marine applications must withstand conditions that would quickly degrade standard electrical cables. Saltwater corrosion, UV exposure, and mechanical stress from ship movement require cables with enhanced protective properties. Mineral insulated (MI) cables offer superior performance in these environments due to their robust construction and inherent resistance to moisture ingress.

The copper sheath of MI cables provides excellent corrosion resistance when properly selected and installed. Unlike plastic-insulated cables that can degrade under UV exposure and temperature cycling, MI cables maintain their integrity throughout extended marine service life. This reliability is crucial for applications such as navigation equipment, engine monitoring systems, and safety installations where failure is not an option.

For marine heating applications, specialized heating cables must resist both corrosion and mechanical damage. These cables often incorporate multiple protective layers and are designed to maintain consistent heat output even when subjected to the constant motion and vibration typical of marine environments.

Temperature Monitoring in Marine Operations

Accurate temperature monitoring is critical across numerous marine applications. Engine rooms require continuous monitoring to prevent overheating and ensure optimal performance. Refrigerated cargo systems depend on precise temperature control to maintain product quality during long voyages. Offshore platforms use temperature sensors to monitor process equipment and ensure safe operation in challenging conditions.

Marine temperature sensors must be designed to withstand not only the corrosive marine environment but also the wide temperature ranges encountered in different areas of a vessel. From the heat of engine compartments to the cold of refrigerated spaces, sensors must maintain accuracy and reliability across these extremes.

The installation of temperature monitoring systems in marine environments requires careful consideration of sensor placement, cable routing, and protection from physical damage. Sensors must be accessible for maintenance while being protected from the harsh conditions that could compromise their operation.

Heating Solutions for Marine Environments

Marine heating applications range from engine preheating systems to cargo temperature control and crew comfort systems. Each application presents unique challenges that require specialized heating solutions designed for marine service.

Engine preheating systems must operate reliably in the demanding environment of engine compartments, where they are exposed to oil, fuel, and high temperatures. These systems often use specialized heating elements that can withstand contamination and provide consistent performance over extended periods.

Cargo heating systems require precise temperature control to maintain product quality during transport. Whether heating heavy fuel oil to maintain proper viscosity or maintaining temperature-sensitive cargo, these systems must provide reliable performance throughout the voyage.

Process heating on offshore platforms presents additional challenges, including the need for explosion-proof equipment and systems that can operate safely in potentially hazardous environments. These applications require heating solutions that meet stringent safety standards while providing the reliability essential for offshore operations.

Safety and Reliability Considerations

Safety in marine applications cannot be compromised. Equipment failures at sea can have serious consequences, making reliability the primary consideration in component selection. This drives the need for proven technologies and robust designs that have demonstrated their ability to perform in marine environments.

Redundancy is often built into critical systems to ensure continued operation even if individual components fail. Temperature monitoring systems may include multiple sensors and backup systems to ensure that critical processes remain monitored even in the event of equipment failure.

Regular maintenance and inspection programs are essential for maintaining the reliability of marine heating and temperature monitoring systems. However, the design of these systems must minimize maintenance requirements while ensuring that necessary maintenance can be performed safely and efficiently.

Industry Standards and Certification

Marine applications are subject to strict industry standards and certification requirements. Equipment must meet standards set by organizations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and various classification societies. These standards ensure that equipment can perform safely and reliably in marine environments.

Certification processes verify that equipment meets the demanding requirements of marine service. This includes testing for corrosion resistance, vibration tolerance, and performance under extreme temperature conditions. Only equipment that successfully passes these rigorous tests should be considered for critical marine applications.

Compliance with these standards is not just a regulatory requirement but a practical necessity for ensuring reliable operation in marine environments. The cost of equipment failure at sea far exceeds any savings from using non-certified components.

Future Developments in Marine Technology

The marine industry continues to evolve, with new technologies and applications creating additional demands for specialized heating and temperature monitoring solutions. The growth of offshore renewable energy installations, increased automation in shipping, and stricter environmental regulations all drive the need for advanced marine-grade equipment.

Digitalization is transforming marine operations, with smart sensors and connected systems providing enhanced monitoring and control capabilities. These developments require heating and temperature monitoring equipment that can integrate with modern control systems while maintaining the reliability essential for marine service.

Environmental considerations are also driving innovation in marine technology. More efficient heating systems and improved temperature monitoring can contribute to reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions, supporting the industry's efforts to minimize environmental impact.

To Conclude

Marine applications demand the highest levels of reliability and performance from heating and temperature monitoring equipment. The harsh conditions encountered at sea require specialized solutions that can withstand corrosion, vibration, and extreme temperature variations while maintaining consistent performance.

Success in marine applications depends on selecting equipment specifically designed for marine service, ensuring proper installation and maintenance, and adhering to industry standards and certification requirements. As the marine industry continues to evolve, the demand for advanced, reliable heating and temperature monitoring solutions will only continue to grow.

The investment in marine-grade equipment pays dividends through reduced maintenance costs, improved safety, and enhanced operational reliability. For marine operators, the choice of heating and temperature monitoring equipment is not just a technical decision but a critical factor in ensuring safe and efficient operations at sea.

 

 

Temperature Sensing for Marine Engine Efficiency

 

The maritime industry is evolving rapidly, driven by the need to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. With stringent IMO (International Maritime Organization) regulations pushing for cleaner, more efficient operations, shipowners and operators must adopt innovative technologies to stay compliant.

One key factor in optimizing marine engine performance? Precision temperature sensing.

The Role of Thermocouples in Marine Engines

At the heart of fuel efficiency and emissions control lies temperature monitoring.

Thermocouples play a crucial role in optimizing fuel combustion in marine engines by ensuring the precise air-to-fuel ratio. This leads to:

  • Maximum engine efficiency – Helping reduce fuel consumption without compromising performance.
  • Lower emissions – Ensuring complete combustion to minimize harmful pollutants.
  • Improved engine lifespan – Preventing overheating and mechanical failures by maintaining optimal operating temperatures.


Monitoring Exhaust Gas Temperatures for Compliance

Regulatory bodies like the IMO have introduced measures such as the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), making emissions control more important than ever.

High-performance thermocouples are essential for:

  • Monitoring exhaust gas temperatures to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
  • Detecting potential inefficiencies in the combustion process.
  • Providing real-time data to engine control systems, enabling proactive adjustments for better performance.
     

Enhancing LNG-Powered Vessel Efficiency

As the industry shifts towards alternative fuels, LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) is emerging as a cleaner option. However, LNG-powered engines require precise temperature control to ensure efficient combustion and safe operation. Okazaki’s advanced thermocouples are designed to:

  • Monitor cryogenic temperatures in LNG storage and fuel systems.
  • Enhance engine efficiency by optimizing fuel combustion and heat exchange processes.
  • Ensure safety by providing accurate temperature readings in extreme marine environments.
     

Built for Harsh Marine Environments

Marine applications present some of the most challenging operating conditions, including:

  • Saltwater exposure leading to corrosion.
  • Extreme temperatures from engine combustion and exhaust gases.
  • High mechanical stresses due to continuous vibrations and movements at sea.

Okazaki Manufacturing’s high-performance thermocouples are built to withstand these conditions, ensuring long-term reliability and accuracy. Our sensors provide ship operators with the critical data needed to improve fuel efficiency, comply with regulations, and extend engine lifespan.

The Future of Marine Efficiency

With tightening emissions regulations and the push for sustainability, precision temperature sensing will continue to be a cornerstone of marine innovation. As new propulsion technologies, such as hydrogen and ammonia fuel systems, emerge, advanced sensors will be required to monitor and optimize these next-generation engines.


#MarineTechnology #FuelEfficiency #EmissionsControl #TemperatureSensors #MaritimeInnovation

 

The VortexWell® and its Innovative Helical Strakes

The VortexWell® and its Innovative Helical Strakes

At Okazaki we are very proud of our VortexWell® Thermowell. So I thought it would be good to discuss the Helical Strake design we have used and how it works to greatly reduce the formation of Vortices.

Why the VortexWell®?

When fluid flows around a blunt object in it’s path, such as a standard Thermowell, it forms vortices downstream of the object. This is commonly known as Vibration Induced Vortices. The implications of these vortices can have a huge impact, from inaccurate readings to complete failure of the thermowell.

After extensive R&D and independent evaluation, we have developed a unique design of thermowell which we call the VortexWell®. This doesn’t require a velocity collar and is cost effective for the end user in terms of purchase, installation and maintenance costs.

What is the VortexWell®?

The VortexWell® incorporates an innovative helical strake design, very similar to the helical strakes seen on columns and cooling towers. By using the latest CFD software to visualize the flow behaviour, we were able to accurately compare a standard tapered thermowell and the VortexWell®.

In the tests, the standard tapered thermowell showed classic shedding behaviour as expected, whereas the VortexWell® demonstrated no signs of natural flow behaviour. The VortexWell® helical strake design disturbed the flow sufficiently to interrupt the regular formation of vortices. Whilst a small vortex was observed in the wake of the VortexWell® this was a localized stagnation point and didn’t shed.

How the VortexWell® works?

As the vortex shedding frequency approaches the thermowell natural frequency, the tip displacement and stresses are greatly magnified and the thermowell can fail. Even when the thermowell has passed calculations to the ASME PTC 19.3 standard, failures are still known to have happened, Monju Power Plant being a prime example.

 

To solve this issue, we looked at several different ideas, from increasing damping to streamlined cross sections. It was found that the best solution was to incorporate a helical strake as a vortex suppression method which made our VortexWell the best performing and safest thermowell available.

 

More information.

 

If you’d like to learn more about our VortexWell® Thermowell you can view more information here https://www.okazaki-mfg.co.uk/products/sensors/vortexwell-thermowell.

 

Alternatively, you can all us on 029 2081 4333 or email the team on sales@okazaki-mfg.co.uk.

 

Farnborough Airshow 22-26 July 2024

We will be exhibiting at the Farnborough Airshow between 22nd and 26th July.

We will advise more details of where to find us when we have them.

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Okazaki
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UK Limited

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