Integrated engine and cylinder condition monitoring to boost reliability

A collaboration on two-stroke engine monitoring and cylinder oil analysis is set to extend service intervals and contribute to technology advances in both areas.

Under a cooperation between engine developer WinGD and ExxonMobil the cylinder oil supplier’s Mobil Serv Cylinder Condition Monitoring service will be integrated with the WinGD Integrated Digital Expert (WiDE) predictive maintenance system.

The partners noted that advanced monitoring is needed to ensure the performance of modern engines. Impending fuel changes under IMO’s global sulphur cap make better monitoring even more important. ExxonMobil global marine equipment builder manager Steve Walker said the cooperation would give peace of mind to ship owners during the transition to compliant solutions.

“By combining outputs we create a bespoke, proactive maintenance programme,” said WinGD vice president sales and marketing Rolf Stiefel. “These innovations will help ship owners reduce unplanned stoppages, save costs through engine performance optimisation and extend engine overhaul intervals.”

Insights from the collaboration will also be used to develop new engines and lubrication solutions.

WinGD has completed pilot tests on WiDE and will be rolling the diagnostic system out starting with its dual-fuel engines. ExxonMobil upgraded its cylinder condition monitoring service last year with the addition of a scrapedown oil analyser that uses handheld XRF technology for faster and more accurate readings than chemical tests.

WinGD’s WiDE system and Parker Kittiwake’s XRF analyser are both shortlisted for Marine Propulsion Intelligent Monitoring & Maintenance Award. The winners wil be revealed at Riviera Maritime Media's Sulphur Cap 2020 conference in Amsterdam on 8-9 May.