Sparks from main engine exhaust

Engineer on duty sometimes get dreaded calls from the bridge reporting sparks from the funnel which could lead to panic.

Reasons for sparks from funnel

1. Slow streaming and frequent maneuvering could have built unburnt soot in the Exhaust Gas economizer.
2. Lack of maintenance in Exhaust Gas Boiler-Infrequent/delayed water washing.
3. Fault fuel injector, improper combustion, or incorrect governor setting
4. Indication for the start of an economizer Fire or a scavenge fire.
5. Water in the service/ settling fuel  tank or maintaining the wrong viscosity as per FO lab analysis
6. Improper FO treatment onboard or wrong FO purifier setting
7. Dirty turbocharger air inlet/ fouled air cooler 
8. Improper cylinder oil lubrication feed rate.
9. Dirty scavenge space or choke drains

Prevention

1. Frequent soot blow and water washing of EGB exhaust gas boiler.
2. Check the integrity of funnel wire mesh with frequent inspection.
3. Maintain soot-blowing equipment in good working condition.
4. Carry out proper maintenance on the main engine as per PMS.
5. Fuel oil purification, storage, and transfer should be carried out as per the FO lab analysis report recommendation.

Pro Tips

• Start boiler circulation pump after EGB water washing. Collect/remove soot at the bottom of EGB , this may have to be done multiple times if time permits before departure. 
• At times sparks do come from the engine exhaust right after EGB water washing so avoid water washing at port.
• In oil tanker do not carry out soot blow during cargo operation, venting, and tank cleaning operations. Always inform the bridge prior to soot blowing.
• Remove any combustible material around the poop deck or around the vicinity of the funnel and follow good housekeeping practices. 
• If sparking occurs keep a crew on standby around the poop deck for fire watch and keep fire fighting equipment on satanby until the problem is resolved.

As always prevention is better than cure so carry out proper maintenance as per PMS, have good watch-keeping and housekeeping practices. Share and guide the crew with personal experiences, and good practices.