PRODUCT INFORMATION
INDEX
DATE
Dep. 2
IO-C-M-20-002e G
June 2016
COOLING SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
4/5
This is particularly true for engines that operate with water in the main circuit 120ºC when this temperature is
reached, it is necessary to re-purge the circuit as the capacity to dissolve air in water decreases significantly
with temperature, such that on filling the circuit with cold water, we may not have air and have significant air
pockets in the entire circuit at the operating temperature. The same occurs in engines where the secondary
circuit water is at 80°C.
To
drain
the cooling circuits, water intakes for filling and emptying should be at the lowest point of the circuit. If
not, release a flange in the lower area to completely empty the circuit by placing a container underneath to
collect the water with antifreeze. Emptying can be done by gravity or by using an electric pump. The hose is
connected to the water intake and after starting up the pump, once the pressure permits, open all the purges in
the circuit that are being emptied, so the water allows the air to flow through after it has been discharged. If the
circuit is equipped with another water intake on the side of the dry-coolers, radiators or heat exchangers, we
connect the hose or pump to that intake after draining the water from the engine and check whether water still
comes out. Then, close all the bleed valves.
Since antifreeze is a pollutant, it must be collected in a suitable container for subsequent treatment or reuse.
To fully drain the
dry-coolers, radiators or heat exchangers
(as may occur in the case of containerized units),
they have to be separated from the rest of the circuit by disconnecting the associated piping. A number of
covers that have been designed for draining are fitted to the pipes: the one at the highest pipe have an outlet for
compressed air and located on the lowest pipe to connect a hose that after injecting compressed air discharges
all water with antifreeze into a suitable container.
Before draining, wait for the water contained in the circuits to cool, as the temperatures reached in the engine
after it has been operating are dangerous if they come into contact with the body.
2. COOLING SYSTEM MONITORING AND CLEANING
The cooling system has to be regularly monitored, paying particular attention to any leaks that may occur in the
hoses, clamping flanges, seals, etc.
To prevent any overheating of the engine, the cooling system must be kept clean. All conduits in the engine and
in the heat exchanger (if any) must be free from deposits and impurities contained in the cooling water
(refer to
IP IO-C-M-20-001e).
A chemical is used to clean the circuit (usually dilute hydrochloric acid), recirculating it by using an auxiliary
pump to eliminate all possible scaling in pipes and component ducts in the system.
5.2.58
O&M_2.002211.810_A_10_2016
