What is an Air bottle or Receiver?
The air bottle or air receiver is act as a reservoir to store high pressurised compressed air supplied by the main air compressor of the ship.This compressed air is very important to start main engine or auxiliary engine and also it is used for various purposes on ship.
Purpose of Air Bottle
- The high pressurised air is used for initial starting of the marine I.C engines.
- It also supply control air to the marine engines.
- Service air is supplied from the air bottle.
- If the quick closing valves are air operated, safety air is supplied through air bottle.
- Spring air for exhaust valve is supplied through air bottle.
What are the Air Bottle Mountings and Connections?
The general mountings and connection present on air bottle of a ship are:-
- Filling valve:- This is a valve fitted in the supply connection from main air compressor to the air bottle.
- Outlet to Main engine:- An outlet valve and pipe is fitted for connection from air bottle to main engine for supplying air during starting.
- Outlet to auxiliary engine:- An outlet valve and pipe is fitted for connection from air bottle to auxiliary engine for supplying air during starting.
- Auxiliary connection:- Other auxiliary supplies connections such as service air, safety air etc. is also provided with isolating valve.
- Relief valve:- A relief valve is fitted on the air bottle to relieve excess pressure inside the bottle.
- Drain valve:- A drain valve is fitted at the bottom of the bottle to drain accumulated condensate from the receiver.
- Fusible plug:- A fusible plug is fitted in the bottle with a separate connection leading out of the engine room so that in the event of fire, this plug will melt and relieve all the air to the outside atmosphere.
- Manhole door:- A manhole door is fitted in the bottle to carry out inspection of the same.
References:-
Book on Marine Aux. Machinery by H.D.McGeorge