Engine Starting Archives

BP Clair Ridge

IPU were awarded the starting systems for both generator sets on the platform, this was a huge and important task.

Ice Challenger ‘Snowbird 6’, was an amphibious vehicle designed and built by Steve Brooks with the aim of setting a new world record by crossing them frozen wastes of the Bering Strait. The vehicle was powered by a 6-cylinder diesel engine, which incorporated an IPU hydraulic starting system. IPU Starting designed the system so that the team could start the engine at -40ºC and if for any reason the first attempt to start failed, the system could be manually recharged for further start attempts. Previous attempts by Ice Challenger to cross the Strait had been hampered by the use of conventional battery starting, which were totally unsuitable for immersion in seawater and the sub zero…

Containerised Set for Fire Pump

Hydraulic Start Packages – Land Based Fire Pump IPU recently supplied two hydraulic starting systems for a fire pump packager based in the Middle East. The start systems were sized to provide a minimum of 45 seconds cranking capacity from three 50 litre accumulators. The sets were deigned to fit inside an IP rated cabinet; this was built with a specially designed and built IPU control panel for operating the start system and marshalling the external signals and inputs from the main control room panel. The engines used were CAT C18’s, driving the emergency fire pump. IPU advised mounting the start system in a cabinet; this has many benefits in an outdoor environment, protecting the start…

NASSCO Ship Yard

The IPU Group Engine Starting Service team were recently called out to provide training and commissioning duties on a mobile landing platform vessel in a US Naval ship yard, San Diego, California. The application in question was a primary hydraulic start system, attached to an emergency diesel generator. The process of commissioning involved: checking the system over before operation, recharging the nitrogen accumulators and setting up and testing the unit. This was all performed by the IPU Servicing team. While on board, IPU staff gave in depth training to the customer on how to safely operate the hydraulic start system. Why IPU? IPU group are the market leader in engineered solutions for…

Underground Mining

Underground mines contain high levels of methane gas, which can cause potentially lethal explosions. It is this safety factor which governs the need for non-sparking air and hydraulic starting systems to be used in mines. IPU have a range of Hydraulic Start Systems suitable for a wide variety of engines including: Caterpillar, Deutz, ADE, John Deere and JCB. A hydraulic start system is an educated choice for many mining companies where hydraulic systems are already in use; making the start system an easy ‘add-on’, as it will not require additional pumps or oil reservoirs. The benefits of a Hydraulic Start System in this environment also extend far beyond safety and legislation; the life…

Standby Generator

Hydraulic Start Packages – FPSO The hydraulic start system was designed to provide three times 10seconds cranking capacity for the Cummins KTA50 engine on an FPSO. Full DNV classification and design approval is required for marine applications. The start system was automatically recharged by means of an electric motor driven recharge pump, which was type approved and also included a hand pump for local manual recharge. Full structural analysis for the steel work and framework was carried out to ensure it could withstand the loads of a marine environment; all none stainless steel parts were protected with a full offshore paint process. The pressure vessels were DNV and ASME compliant, as…

BP Chirag Project

Hydraulic Start Packages – BP Chirag British Petroleum (BP) needed a Hydraulic Starting System for the Chirag Oil Project (COP), this is an offshore development located in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea, approximately 120 km southeast of Baku. IPU were awarded all starting system designs and manufacturing for the project after lengthy design consultation periods with BP, KBR and the engine packager. The four start systems supplied were to provide starting capability to two fire pumps, one compressor and the emergency generator set shown in the photograph opposite. The installation of the hydraulic start system was unusual, as the space available was very limited. The design had…

Emergency Fire Pumps

IPU recently supplied the standby emergency start systems for the fire pumps on Exxon-Mobil Jerneh-A production platform in the South China Sea, offshore Kemaman, Malaysia. The Jernah A first began production in 1991 and this is the latest upgrade for the platform. The systems were designed to replace the existing sets and to provide three start attempts of 5 seconds each. All items, including the oil reservoir, have been manufacturer from stainless steel. All pressure vessels were manufactured to comply to ASME and were U stamped, with all pipework and fittings project specific by Parker. After a recent survey it has been identified that there is sufficient reserve for an additional 6…