Information About Machinery Space Ventilation

Machinery spaces have ventilation systems that ensure the necessary airflow for combustion and cooling. In some vessels, due to space constraints, the requested airflow for cooling cannot be achieved under extreme environmental conditions, and the engine load will need to be reduced.

Ventilation is the provision of a supply of fresh untreated air through a space. Natural ventilation occurs when changes in temperature or air density cause circulation in the space. Mechanical or forced ventilation uses fans for the positive movement of large quantities of air. 

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For a marine vessel with a standard 2-stroke engine, the exhaust emission temperature ranges between 325-345 °C, but for 4-stroke engines, it can rise to 400-500 °C [28].

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Natural ventilation is used for some small workshops and stores but could be more practical for working areas where machinery is present or several people are employed. Forced ventilation may be used in cargo spaces where air movement removes moisture or avoids condensation, odours gases, etc. 

The machinery space presents another area which requires ventilation. As a result of its large size and the fact that large volumes of air are consumed a treatment plant would be extremely costly to run. Ventilation is therefore provided in sufficient quantities for machinery air consumption and also to effect cooling.

Several axial-flow fans provide air through ducting to the various working platforms. The hot air rises in the centre and leaves through louvres or openings, usually in the funnel. The machinery control room, as a separate space, may well be arranged for air conditioning with an individual unit which draws air through trunking from the outside and exhausts back to the atmosphere.