T.S. Patriot State Engineering Manual

Patriot State was the training ship of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy from 1986 to 1998.

Main Plant Operations

Start Up of Lube Oil System

The temperature of the lube oil must be raised to at least 90° F. before warming up the main propulsion unit, as the viscosity of the oil below this temperature is too great to provide proper lubrication. Preheating of the oil can be achieved by using the lube oil cooler as a heater in the following manner. Connect the temporary steam hose from the auxiliary exhaust and bleeder steam system to the steam connection on the inlet head of the cooler. Close the inlet and outlet water valves and open the outlet head vent. With the water side of the cooler full, admit steam slowly to the cooler. The steam will heat the water, thus heating and circulating oil and the condensate will pass off via the outlet head vent. Care should be exercised to avoid forcing the water from the cooler while admitting steam. Another alternative is heating the gravity tank or using the lube oil purifier. Using the lube oil purifier is the most practical way of heating the oil since it will also clean the oil at the same time.

1. Determine that the engineer's alarm and signal panel is energized by checking with white panel light.
2. Put the low pressure alarm switch on "test" and determine that the red panel light and audible alarm operate. Turn switch to "cutout" until gravity tank is full.
3. Start the motor-driven lube-oil service pump and line up the reciprocating pump for stand-by operation. The suction and discharge valves of both pumps should be fully open whenever the system is in operation.
4. Ensure one of the lube oil coolers is lined up.
5. Open the gravity tank fill/dump valve.
6. When the oil in the gravity tank reaches normal level its red light will be extinguished. When the pressure at the low pressure switch reaches 5 psig, its red light will go out and the alarm switch should not be turned to "normal."

Engagement of Turning Gear

1. Remove padlock and pin.
2. Rotate lever to Engaged position.
3. Push the pin through the holes in the lever and bracket which are lined up when the clutch is engaged. Replace the padlock to secure the pin.
4. Start the turning gear motor.
5. Put "Jacking Gear Engaged" sign on main throttles.

Raising Vacuum

1. Make inspection of main engine, spring bearings and stern tube packing gland.
2. Ask permission, from bridge, to engage jacking gear.
3. Line up and place in service the main engine lube oil system. (minimum oil temperature prior to engaging jacking gear is 90° F.). Check all sight flows on the turbines and gear to make sure that oil is flowing to all bearings.
4. Engage and start jacking gear. Make sure throttle valve assembly is closed and an appropriate sign hung on the throttle.
5. Open all turbine casing drains.
6. Line up circulating water to the main condenser.
7. Vent the salt water side of the condenser by opening 10" auxiliary overboard discharge valve.
8. Start the main circulating pump on low speed.
9. Record main engine thrust readings in the engineering smooth log.
10. Line up condensate system, open suction, vent, sealing line, start pump, open discharge and recirculating line to maintain level in hot well.
11. Start gland exhauster fan if not already running and line up gland exhaust system.
12. Apply gland sealing steam to the turbine glands 1/2 to 2 psi. Using the by-pass to the gland seal regulator.
13. Line up the main engine air ejector assembly, and apply steam to the second stage air ejector nozzle, or start the Nash Vacuum Pump. Vacuum should be established and 20" Hg or better should be maintained on the second stage nozzle.

Putting Steam on Main Engine

When warming up the steam piping to the propulsion turbines, the drain valves in the lines should first be cracked opened, then the main steam stops and bulkhead steam stops cracked opened. Slowly warm the lines. When there is no longer any flow of condensate from the drain lines and the piping is sufficiently warm, the drain valves may be closed and the main steam stops and bulkhead steam stops opened wide.

1. One hour prior to receiving standby, gradually warm up main steam line to the throttle. Make sure the throttles are closed.
2. Obtain permission from the bridge to put steam on the main engine.
3. Verify all drains on turbine and throttle valve assembly are aligned to the bilge.
4. Stop and disengage the jacking gear. Remove sign from throttle valves.
5. Open the appropriate hand nozzle valves.
6. Align throttle valve drains to the D.C. heater.
7. Open astern guarding valve and admit steam to astern turbine first.
8. Alternately spin the ahead and astern turbines no more than 10 rpms until temperature entering the H.P. turbine is over 500° F.
9. When the main engine is warm, the continuous spinning of the engine can be stopped and the engine spun every five minutes.
10. Notify the bridge that main engines are warmed up and ready to answer bell for maneuvering. When standby is received, cut in the 1st stage of the air ejector.
11. Use 19 nozzles for maneuvering.

Caution: Do not allow the turbines to remain stationary for more than five minutes after steam has been admitted to the gland seal system.

Dead Ship Start-up

Allow at least 12 hours to correctly start up the plant.

1. Clear the main switch board., check all vitals for the emergency diesel generator (oil level, water level), start the emergency diesel. After the diesel is running, check inlet and outlet air dampers to make sure that they open.
2. Put the emergency diesel on line. Check that the voltage regulator is in the "auto" position.
3. Close the selector switch to the "feed back" position on the emergency switch board. Close the main board tie breaker (Emergency board to diesel generator). Close the feeder breaker to the Group A and Group B panels.
4. Energize the forced draft blower (Main Board), start the F.O. service pump number 1 (Group A) and the ship's service air compressor (Main Board). Operate all motors at slow speed when starting.
5. Confirm that the gage glass valves , superheater outlet header vent, superheater drains, drum vent are open; and that the main steam stop valve, generator stops, attemperator stops, header drains and bottom blow valves are secured. Make sure the stack cover is off, forced draft fan is free to start, damper is free and in working order, forced draft crossover gate is closed, discharge gate is open and that the inspection doors for the preheaters are closed. Make sure that the retractable soot blowers are retracted.
6. Close the dampers of the forced draft blowers (from the fireroom), make sure the dampers in the duct are open. Start the forced draft fan fan (from the fireroom), energize the breaker for the F.O. service pump No. 1 (Group A) and ship's service air compressor (Main switchboard). Check that the Ljungstrom air preheater is by-passed. Operate all motors at slow speed.
7. Fill boiler level to approximately 1/3 of the lower gauge glass using the auxiliary feed system (or dynamite the D.C. heater using the potable water system, or connect a hose to the steam drum vent and fill using a garden hose.
8. Check all oil levels and start the Ljungstrom air preheater. Switch over the preheater by-pass. Make sure that the sanitary water system is operating and water is being supplied to the lube oil cooler for the air preheater. Maintain temperature below 130° F.
9. Connect the D.O. line to burner No. 1.
10. Start the forced draft fan on slow speed. Insure that all registers and forced draft fan dampers are wide open for a minimum of five minutes, in order to air out and purge the furnace.
11. Open the suction valve at the pump for the D.O.
12. Line up the inboard FO pump on D.O., admit air to atomizer, adjust fuel pressure at 100 psi. Note-shore steam is available at the academy's berth, so air atomization is not required.
13. Before lighting off, close unused registers. Close in forced draft fan damper to provide enough air for clean stack after lighting off, then light off a burner.
14. When the drum pressure reaches 50 psi, close the drum vent. At 50-100 psi put steam to the 65 psi steam system and to the fuel oil heating coils by using the bypass for the 600/150 psi reducing station.
15. Line up the reserve feed tank to the in-port feed pump.
16. Put the in-port feed pump on-line.
17. Make sure that the control air system is on line. Make sure that the low-water level trips for the steam drum are energized.
18. When the oil in the settling tanks rises to about 100-120° F, recirculate the oil through the heaters using the outboard fuel oil pump. Latch the solenoid trip valve open (energized from B group.)
19. When fuel oil is between 180-200 ° F, close the recirc. line and insert another burner in a different position in the boiler and light off the boiler using fuel oil. Secure the diesel oil pump and connections.
20. NOTE: When dead ship starting, the root valve to the combustion control master unit will be lined up from the boiler being fired. When shore steam is available, diesel oil is not necessary for light off. The following steps are to be adhered to when lighting off with diesel and black oil.
21. Before switching over from diesel oil to fuel oil, place the General Regulator Combustion control board in manual operation. Fuel oil root valve to burner opened. Fuel oil valve closest to the burner to be closed. Establish 100 psi fuel oil pressure at the burner manifolds. Insert the torch through the peephole and light off the burner (the first burner should be inserted furthest from the superheater and screen tubes) . When the fire is established, reduce the fuel pressure to 50-100 psi along with closing off recirculating line. Air damper to be adjusted for a clear stack.
22. NOTE: Four hours minimum is required from light off with cold water in the steam drum to putting boiler in service. At all times while there is a fire in the boiler, a licensed engineer must be in the fire room to monitor boiler operation, i.e. firing rate, water level, etc.
23. After lighting off, the boiler is to be fired 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off for the first hour, rotating burners.
24. Boiler to be fired 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off for the second hour, rotating burners.
25. At 50 psi on boiler drum vent to be closed. Superheater outlet vent valve to be left open till boiler is put on line. Superheater drain lines to be secured when blowing steam (usually by 50 psi)
26. At 50 psi drum pressure, blow down Copes feed water regulator. Also give both boiler gauge glasses a short blown down to prove that they are clear and in proper working order.
27. After two hours of operation the boiler to be steamed steadily but at no time is 100 psi fuel oil pressure to be exceeded.
28. Keep a close watch on stack temperature at all times.
29. As soon as vapor shows at the superheated outlet vent, it is to be throttled to 1/4 open, and drains to be closed completely.

    The Superheater outlet vent must stay open at all times until the boiler is on line.

30. At 200 psi, all boiler steam valves are to be lifted slightly and reseated (with the exception of the main engine steam stop valve). During dead ship starting valves are not to be opened until required for operation.

    At all times the boiler water level to be maintained within sight of the gage glass.

31. At 550 psi, secure fires and maintain boiler pressure between 300 and 550 psi until required for service but not less than four hour minimum.
32. When fires are secured superheater drains are to be cracked before lighting off to get rid of accumulated water and then secured. NOTE: There are two valves at each drain. First valve next to headers to be open and second valve to be used for throttling.
33. At 500 psi, when bringing the boiler into service, open the auxiliary and generator stop valves slowly and warm up steam lines. The auxiliary feed check valve is to be closed and the main feed check is to be wide open. Water level at this point to be on manual control using feed water regulator.
34. Bring oncoming boiler up to 5 to 10 psi above boiler on line (with the exception of dead plant starting).
35. NOTE: During dead ship start up have an extra burner ready in inboard register and put in service as a steam demand increases. If air is being used in place of steam for atomization, change over to steam as soon as auxiliary steam is available.
36. When boiler is on line, and after reaching boiler pressure set point, put fuel and damper controls in automatic operation and also put the feed water control in automatic operation.
37. After bringing the boiler on line, burners in both boilers are to be of the same size and each to be in the lower outboard register.
38. Forced draft fan speed to be adjusted to provide a clear stack at all times. Superheater outlet vent to be closed after boiler is on line and not before.
39. NOTE: Air preheaters to be blown as soon as possible when steam is available after bringing boiler on line.
40. Warm-up the all steam lines. Also close the by-pass valves for the 600/150 psi reducing station and also the 150/15 psi reducing station.
41. Start the in-port feed pump taking suction from the D.C. Heater and send through the auxiliary feed system.
42. Put D.C. heater on-line using auxiliary exhaust steam
43. Start auxiliary circulating pump through the auxiliary condenser.
44. Check the water level in the auxiliary condenser, and start the auxiliary condensate pump and discharge to D.C. heater (through the auxiliary air ejectors). Confirm that the condensate recirc. is open.
45. Line up the Gland seal leak off.
46. Start the Gland exhauster.
47. Apply gland seal steam to the turbo generators.
48. Put the auxiliary air ejector on line (2nd stage first)
49. Open turbine casing drains.
50. When the condenser vacuum reaches 15 inches Hg, prelube and slowly roll the turbogenerator. Manually check the overspeed trip, reset, and bring the generator up to speed.
51. Open all auxiliary exhaust make-up and dump valves for that condenser.
52. Line up the double bottom for MUF.
53. Line up the vacuum drag from the ADT.
54. To put the turbogenerator on line. After the unit has sufficiently warmed up trip out the emergency bus tie breaker slightly before closing the main generator breaker. All units necessary for operation with Low Voltage Protection must be restarted.
55. On the emergency switch board, turn the control switch to the "auto" position. Close the bus tie on the main board and secure the emergency diesel.
56. Put the combustion control system on line.
57. Determine that the the alarm system for the Main LO service system is "on."
58. Check the low oil pressure alarm for proper operation. Turn the cutout switch "on" until the gravity tank is full.
59. Start the electric L.O. pump and set the reciprocating L.O. pump on standby.
60. Open the inlet for the gravity tank after the L.O. pump has been started.
61. When gravity tank is full and the Red light goes out, turn the cutout switch to the "normal" position.
62. Inspect the spring bearings, call the wheel house for permission, and then engage the jacking gear. Inspect bearing all sight flow indicators.
63. Make sure the throttle valves are secured.
64. Open all turbine casing drains.
65. Line up the main circulating system to supply water to the main condenser.
66. Vent the saltwater side of the condenser. (Make sure the vent valve for the outlet head is lined up.)
67. Start the main circulating pump on slow speed.
68. Record main engine thrust readings.
69. Line up the condensate system. (open suction, vent, sealing line, start pump, open discharge and recirc.)
70. Line up the gland seal and leak off system. Apply sealing steam to the main engine.
71. Line up the the second stage for the air ejectors (or Nash vacuum pump.)
72. Disengage the jacking gear.
73. Put steam to the main throttles (open drain lines, then by-pass valves around the stop checks, and root valves.)
74. Call the bridge and get permission to warm-up engines.
75. Open the main and bulkhead stop valves.
76. Open the astern guardian valve and admit steam to the astern unit first.
77. Alternately spin the ahead and astern turbines (no more than 10 revs) Don't allow the shaft to sit idle for more than 3 minutes.
78. When temperature is up to 500° F (to H.P. turbine ) put the first stage air ejector on-line.
79. Notify the wheel house that the engine is warmed.
80. Note: Main feed pump must be on line prior to maneuvering.

Direct comments to William Haynes whaynes@maritime.edu
Mon, Jul 1, 1996
TSPS Engineering Manual ©1995 Massachusetts Maritime Academy