Exam Question
A main air compressor interstage air-cooler has burst. Put down a logical sequence of event that could have caused this accident. Put down your analysis, point by point and complete in technical detail. (16)
Class 4 (4th Engineer)
MEKG
📅 Jul 2025
Reference Answer
### Logical Sequence of Events Leading to Interstage Cooler Burst
The catastrophic failure of a main air compressor's interstage cooler is not a sudden event but the culmination of a progressive series of unaddressed operational faults. The logical sequence, from root cause to final failure, is detailed below.
#### 1. Initial Contributing Factors: Contamination and Deposit Formation
* **Ineffective Air Filtration:** The primary root cause is the induction of contaminated air. The compressor suction filter is either damaged, bypassed, or of an incorrect specification, allowing abrasive solid particles (dust, sand, soot) from the engine room atmosphere to enter the Low Pressure (LP) cylinder.
The catastrophic failure of a main air compressor's interstage cooler is not a sudden event but the culmination of a progressive series of unaddressed operational faults. The logical sequence, from root cause to final failure, is detailed below.
#### 1. Initial Contributing Factors: Contamination and Deposit Formation
* **Ineffective Air Filtration:** The primary root cause is the induction of contaminated air. The compressor suction filter is either damaged, bypassed, or of an incorrect specification, allowing abrasive solid particles (dust, sand, soot) from the engine room atmosphere to enter the Low Pressure (LP) cylinder.
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