Exchange service for compressor overhauls
UK: Merseyside-based Oceanic Technical Solutions has introduced a new service to meet increased market demand for ship-board refrigeration compressor overhauls.
As part of the programme, the UK refrigeration specialist will offer its customers scheduled compressor overhauls on a service exchange basis. Based on compressor running hours, Oceanic will deliver a completely overhauled compressor in exchange for one that has exceeded working hours and requiring refurbishment.
Workshop overhaul involves the complete strip down of the compressor, including cleaning and chemical dipping to remove rust and dirt, the replacement of all bearings and seals using genuine or OEM spares parts, and repainting.
David Lloyd, Oceanic Technical Solutions’ technical director, said: “While a lot of shipboard machinery is designed to operate with minimal maintenance, refrigeration compressors are required to have periodic overhauls based on the number of running hours, but due to the complexity of twin-screw compressors, the knowledge and skill to perform these overhauls is limited in vessel crews.
“Many of the compressors in service are older units and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find spare parts as some manufacturers no longer exist. And with new compressors costing upwards of £20,000, we are beginning to see more shipowners implement preventative maintenance measures.
“At a fraction of the cost of a new compressor, a scheduled overhaul offers serious savings for the owner, preventing cargo damage and costly downtime should a ship’s refrigeration plant fail,” said Lloyd, referring to a reefer ship that recently lost three compressors in one week.
“A reefer ship would typically have three or four compressors – they’re the heart of the refrigeration system,” said Lloyd. “The plant can cope with one compressor failing but if you lose another it’s a serious problem. Our scheduled maintenance plan and compressor exchange service can prevent these mechanical failures from happening, ultimately saving shipowners from incurring unbudgeted additional costs.”
The company has recently invested in a new purpose built workshop and office facility near Liverpool’s River Mersey. “With lifting facilities up to 2t, the new workshop has the capacity to overhaul and repair most models of reciprocating and twin-screw compressors from a Stal S24C mini screw to the larger Mycom screw compressors,” said md Robert Chesters.
