News

May 2009

From Russia with love for AMOT bearing condition monitor

AMOT XTS-W bearing condition monitors were specified by Russia’s Primorsk Shipping Corporation for a fleet of seven new tankers built by STX Shipbuilding Corporation in Korea to a new Lloyd’s Register ‘Winterisation’ notation ensuring safe and reliable operation in sub-zero temperatures.

The XTS-W system was seen as adding to the reliability by providing real-time monitoring of wear in the crank train bearings, giving an early warning of any pending problems and avoiding possible catastrophic bearing damage plus the high cost of unplanned repairs.

A key reason for selecting the AMOT system was a statement from MAN Diesel that its installation makes it feasible to eliminate usual open-out inspections which PRISCO, like many other ship owners and operators, wish to omit and thus cut costs and downtime.

The tankers are 51,000 ton dead weight and are intended for transporting oil, chemical cargo and agricultural oils.

March 2009

Bearing condition monitor has added ‘next generation’ features

Nor-Shipping Stand no.: E04-28

The new AMOT ‘XTS-W+’ bearing condition monitor has significant extra operating features including fully integrated water-in-oil monitoring and automatic calibration to further enhance its proven 24/7 real-time monitoring of low speed diesel engine crank train bearings.

Developed to protect large 2-stroke diesel engines in marine applications, the system’s upgraded functions also include dual alarms and trending, standardised reporting functionality and compliance with the latest engine manufacturers’ specifications to benefit all users.

Commissioning has been simplified and the new features plus enhanced diagnostics improve engine protection through faster and easier fault-finding, allowing engineers to accurately assess the rate of bearing wear, and make the necessary operational decisions to protect the engine and maximise running time.

By providing advanced warning of bearing wear, serious and high cost consequential damage to crank-shafts and connecting rod journals will be avoided. The adoption of the AMOT XTS-W+ Bearing Condition Monitor can help ship owners prevent high cost unplanned repairs and, critically, the loss of revenue from unplanned downtime. XTS-W+ can also eliminate expensive open-up inspections.