What is Lambda Control in Ships?

With new stringent regulations against pollution being introduced, it is important for the manufacturers to build marine engine that satisfy these norms and do not hamper the normal operation of the engine. To achieve this, engines are provided with several automation systems, which not only reduce the pollution level but also increase the efficiency of the engine and reduce other operational cost.

One such introduced automation is lambda control which controls the fuel injection system of the marine engine according to the variation in the load on the same.

Lamda control

Purpose of Lambda Controller

The main function of any engine is to supply enough power so that it can handle the load put on it. The load may increase or reduce during the operation and to accompany this, some excess fuel may be given to keep up the performance.

Lambda controller is used to control the excess fuel injection in the combustion chamber of a marine engine when there is a change in the engine load i.e. during a momentary increase in the engine load.

This is done by controlling the two main elements which are responsible for combustion- fuel and air. This controller senses the relation between the charge air pressure and fuel index of the engine at that load.

Principle of Working

The working of Lambda controller can be understood with the help of the following diagram:

When there is a sudden momentary increase in the engine load, the lambda control will regulate the fuel through injection pump using the regulator arm. For this, (1) is turned on which in-turn commands the switch (2) to touch the Piston arm (3) and be pushed downward, where in the electric circuit will be closed.

Hence, solenoid valve (4) will open which will then actuate the jet system to accelerate the turbocharger resulting in increase in charged air pressure. This will result in pressing the piston (3) back in the lambda cylinder (5). When the lambda value or lambda ratio is satisfactory, then the solenoid valve will get closed, deactivating the jet system.

When the system is activated for more than 10 seconds, then the solenoid valve is signaled to shut off and there is an alarm for system failure

Fuel oil limiting during start

During the start procedure, the lambda controller is used as an index limiter.

Hereby heavy smoke formation is prevented during start procedure and the regulating device cannot over-react.

Advantages

  • It reduces the emission of excess visible smoke when there is a sudden increase in engine load.
  • The overall load efficiency of engine increases.
  • The exhaust side of the engine .i.e. exhaust valve, exhaust gas way, exhaust uptake etc are less fouled due to carbon deposits.
  • The maintenance work reduces due to less fouling of parts.

You may also like to read-What is Oil Discharge Monitoring and Control System (ODMCS)

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About Author

An ardent sailor and a techie, Anish Wankhede has voyaged on a number of ships as a marine engineer officer. He loves multitasking, networking, and troubleshooting. He is the one behind the unique creativity and aesthetics at Marine Insight.

15 Comments

  1. Hi let’s say the fuel rack position at full load is 23mm, at what rack position will the regulating arm be fixed to activate the lambda?

    Thanks
    Alden

  2. @ Alden:

    It depends on the KW rating of the engine, turbocharger RPM and other factors. The Lambda control manual comes with all the required settings.

  3. Very good written post. It will be supportive to anybody who usess it, including me. Keep doing what you are doing – for sure i will check out more posts.

  4. can we use same Lambda controller for constant pressure turbocharging during starting?

  5. same lambda controller can be used for constant pressure turbocharging for generator during starting

  6. Hi I am Shrikant can you explain setting and adjustment of lamda controler B&W STX 6L23-30 engine.

  7. Hi good day. I am having trouble with my generator fiyted with lambda controller. The turbocharger is new and the governor is newly overhauled. My injectors are new as well. The charge air pressure and temperature is within normal range. My question is why the turbocharger temperature gives an alarm. Exhaust gas t/c high temp. Does the lambda controller be tge reason?

  8. @ry Ribas:
    It can be lambda control or the temperature sensor itself. Difficult to troubleshoot without knowing the whole scenario and parameters.

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