May 15 2006
Ocean-going vessels require large amounts of fuel to operate, so diesel engine performance is paramount to a ship owner’s bottom line. Drew Marine, a business group of Ashland Specialty Chemical, a division of Ashland Inc., has introduced an upgrade to its diesel performance monitoring system that improves bottom-line performance for this industry.
The DREW™ Diesel Performance Analyzer IV (DPA IV) is the latest diesel engine performance innovation from Ashland for the merchant marine industry. Most marine diesel engines operate on lower-quality fuels that can cause ignition delays and incomplete combustion. The DPA IV system relies upon a computer interface with sensors attached to the engine. These sensors capture “real-time” information providing specific engine analysis traits to the ship’s engineer.
“We’re very pleased to offer this latest technological advancement from Ashland,” said Nels Hendrickson, vice president of marketing, Drew Marine. “This technology can provide early detection of worn or damaged engine components such as piston ring leakage, burnt piston crown, exhaust valve leakage and much more.” An optional feature of the DPA IV is a “vibration” sensor that measures fuel injection without penetrating the fuel system. This option delivers enhanced engine performance by utilizing some of the latest technological innovations designed specifically for marine engines.
As the name implies, this version is an upgrade from previous versions of the system and it improves engine performance and fuel efficiency. To obtain more information please contact a local Drew Marine representative or visit the Drew Marine Web site.
http://www.ashland.com