Main engine and auxiliary engine are the two prime components in a
ship’s engine room, on which, the entire operation of the vessel is
dependent. There are several other important machineries that are
necessary to support these two main components; however, one
equipment without which any of the above mentioned machines cannot
do away with is an air bottle or air receiver.
What is an Air bottle or Receiver?
The air bottle or air receiver is a large container acting as a
reservoir to store compressed air supplied by the main air
compressor of the ship at high pressure. This compressed air is
very important to start main engine or auxiliary engine.
Purpose of Air Bottle
The high pressure is used for initial starting of the marine I.C
engines present onboard vessel.
It also supplies control air to the marine engines.
Service air is supplied from the air bottle.
If the quick closing valves are air operated, safety air is
supplied through air bottle.
Spring air for exhaust valve is supplied through air bottle.
Apart from above mentioned ones, there are several other uses as
well.
What are the Air Bottle Mountings and Connections?
The general mountings and connection present on air bottle of a
ship are:
Filling valve: This is a valve fitted in the supply connection from
main air compressor to the air bottle.
Outlet to Main engine: An outlet valve and pipe is fitted for
connection from air bottle to main engine for supplying air during
starting.
Outlet to auxiliary engine: An outlet valve and pipe is fitted for
connection from air bottle to auxiliary engines for supplying air
during starting.
Auxiliary connection: Other auxiliary supplies connections such as
service air, safety air etc. is also provided with isolating valve.
Relief valve: A relief valve is fitted on the air bottle to relieve
excess pressure inside the bottle.
Drain valve: A drain valve is fitted at the bottom of the bottle to
drain accumulated condensate from the receiver.
Fusible plug: A fusible plug is fitted in the bottle with a
separate connection leading out of the engine room so that in the
event of fire, this plug will melt and relieve all the air to the
outside atmosphere.
Manhole door: A manhole door is fitted in the bottle to carry out
inspection of the same.
Third party certificate: CCS, DNV, ABS, LR, GL, BV, NK, etc..
