16.7 Special requirements for gas-fired internal combustion engines
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Maritime Safety Committee - Resolution MSC.370(93) – Amendments to The International Code for The Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases In Bulk (IGC Code) – (Adopted on 22 May 2014) - Annex - Amendments to The International Code for The Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases In Bulk (IGC Code) - Chapter 16 — Use of Cargo as Fuel - 16.7 Special requirements for gas-fired internal combustion engines

16.7 Special requirements for gas-fired internal combustion engines

 Dual fuel engines are those that employ gas fuel (with pilot oil) and oil fuel. Oil fuels may include distillate and residual fuels. Gas only engines are those that employ gas fuel only.

  16.7.1 Arrangements

  16.7.1.1 When gas is supplied in a mixture with air through a common manifold, flame arrestors shall be installed before each cylinder head.

  16.7.1.2 Each engine shall have its own separate exhaust.

  16.7.1.3 The exhausts shall be configured to prevent any accumulation of unburnt gaseous fuel.

  16.7.1.4 Unless designed with the strength to withstand the worst case overpressure due to ignited gas leaks, air inlet manifolds, scavenge spaces, exhaust system and crank cases shall be fitted with suitable pressure relief systems. Pressure relief systems shall lead to a safe location, away from personnel.

  16.7.1.5 Each engine shall be fitted with vent systems independent of other engines for crankcases, sumps and cooling systems.

  16.7.2 Combustion equipment

  16.7.2.1 Prior to admission of gas fuel, correct operation of the pilot oil injection system on each unit shall be verified.

  16.7.2.2 For a spark ignition engine, if ignition has not been detected by the engine monitoring system within an engine specific time after opening of the gas supply valve, this shall be automatically shut off and the starting sequence terminated. It shall be ensured that any unburnt gas mixture is purged from the exhaust system.

  16.7.2.3 For dual-fuel engines fitted with a pilot oil injection system, an automatic system shall be fitted to change over from gas fuel operation to oil fuel operation with minimum fluctuation of the engine power.

  16.7.2.4 In the case of unstable operation on engines with the arrangement in 16.7.2.3 when gas firing, the engine shall automatically change to oil fuel mode.

  16.7.3 Safety

  16.7.3.1 During stopping of the engine, the gas fuel shall be automatically shut off before the ignition source.

  16.7.3.2 Arrangements shall be provided to ensure that there is no unburnt gas fuel in the exhaust gas system prior to ignition.

  16.7.3.3 Crankcases, sumps, scavenge spaces and cooling system vents shall be provided with gas detection (see 13.6.17).

  16.7.3.4 Provision shall be made within the design of the engine to permit continuous monitoring of possible sources of ignition within the crank case. Instrumentation fitted inside the crankcase shall be in accordance with the requirements of chapter 10.

  16.7.3.5 A means shall be provided to monitor and detect poor combustion or misfiring that may lead to unburnt gas fuel in the exhaust system during operation. In the event that it is detected, the gas fuel supply shall be shut down. Instrumentation fitted inside the exhaust system shall be in accordance with the requirements of chapter 10.


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