Lesson 1. Engine Room: General Information

ENGINE ROOM: GENERAL INFORMATION

Marine propulsion is the mechanism or system used to generate thrust to move a ship or boat across water. While paddles and sails are still used on some smaller boats, most modern ships are propelled by mechanical systems consisting of a motor or engine turning a propeller, or less frequently, in jet drives, an impeller. Marine engineering is the discipline concerned with the design of marine propulsion systems.

Steam engines were the first mechanical engines used in marine propulsion, but have mostly been replaced by two-stroke or four-stroke diesel engines, outboard motors, and gas turbine engines on faster ships. Nuclear reactors producing steam are used to propel warships and icebreakers. Electric motors have been used on submarines and electric boats and have been proposed for energy-efficient propulsion. Recent development in liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled engines are gaining recognition for their low emissions and cost advantages.

On a ship, the engine room is the propulsion machinery spaces of the vessel. The engine room is generally the largest physical compartment of the machinery space. The engine room houses the vessel’s prime mover – diesel engine, gas or steam turbine. On some ships, the machinery space may comprise more than one engine room, such as a forward and aft, or port or starboard engine rooms, or may be simple numbered.

On a large number of vessels, ships and boats, the engine room is located near the bottom and at the aft end of the vessel, and usually comprises few compartments. The engine room on some ships may be situated mid-ship. With the increased use of diesel electric propulsion packages, the engine room may be located well forward, low or high on the vessel, depending on the vessel use.

The engine room of a motor vessel typically contains several engines for different purposes. Main, or propulsion engines are used to turn the ship’s propeller and move the ship through the water. They typically burn diesel oil or heavy fuel oil, and may be able to switch between the two.

Large engines drive electrical generators that provide power for the ship’s electrical systems. Large ships typically have three or more synchronized generators to ensure smooth operation.

On a steamship, power for both electricity and propulsion is provided by one or more large boilers. High pressure steam from the boiler is used to drive engines: reciprocating engines or turbines for propulsion, and turbo generators for electricity. Besides propulsion and auxiliary engines, a typical engine room contains many smaller engines, including generators, air compressors, feed pumps, and fuel pumps.

I. Read the text then watch the video.

II. Find in the text English equivalents for the following word combinations.
морське машинобудування, механічні системи, були замінені, забезпечують живлення, більш швидкі судна, енерго-ефективні двигуни, низький рівень викидів і цінові переваги, розташовується (2 варіанти), використання судна, різні цілі, електричні системи, великі котли.

III. Translate into Ukrainian.
1. Marine propulsion is the mechanism or system used to generate thrust to move a ship or boat across water.
2. Marine engineering is the discipline concerned with the design of marine propulsion systems.
3. Steam engines were the first mechanical engines used in marine propulsion.
4. Nuclear reactors are used to propel warships and icebreakers.
5. The engine room is the propulsion machinery spaces of the vessel.
6. The engine room is generally the largest physical compartment of the machinery space.
7. The engine room houses the vessel’s prime mover – diesel engine, gas or steam turbine.
8. Main or propulsion engines typically burn diesel oil or heavy fuel oil.
9. Large ships typically have three or more synchronized generators to ensure smooth operation.

10. Besides propulsion and auxiliary engines, a typical engine room contains many smaller engines, including generators, air compressors, feed pumps, and fuel pumps.