4.

2 Operation of diesel engines in hazardous zones

The contents of this chapter is based on an OCMA specification No. MEC-1 published on
behalf of the Institute of Petroleum [6.
There are considerable problems in providing assured protection to diesel engines for use in
zone 0, 1 and to a certain extent in zone 2 !"# $%&$ PA'( 1). The use of permanently
installed diesel engines in zone 0 is unacceptable, and the use in zones 1 and 2 should be
avoided wherever possible. If the diesel engine is adeuate and efficiently protected to all
electric, hot surfaces, exhaust systems, etc. they may be located in zone 1 and 2. !ormally
these protection include the provision of an air source from an non"hazardous zone. #owever
if this is impracticable, the engine shall be fitted with an automatically operated combustion
air cut"out to prevent engine runaways in the event of flammable vapour ingestion.
$obile diesel"engined euipment should preferably not be used in a hazardous zone, but if
this is unavoidable it should be fully protected as for fixed diesel installations or have a
minimum of protection and operate under a permit"to"wor% system. The minimum protection
should be spar% arrestors, hot surface cooling and, in addition for zone 1, an automatic air cut
"off.
The following recommendations &table '( are made for protection of diesel engines on drilling
rigs which are permanently installed in hazardous zones 1 and 2.

!ature of hazard )ones 1 and 2
*ischarge of spar%s from
electrical euipment
+tarter,pneumatic, hydraulic, spring recoil, inertia or hand start.
-ny other electrical euipment associated with the engine shall
be flameproof &.+ /012( or intrinsically safe &.+ 123'(.
4lectrical euipment shall be effectively earthed and bonded to
the main engine frame.
*ischarge of spar%s from
mechanical causes
5ooling fan blades shall be made from non"metallic materials.
6eneration and discharge of
static electricity from belt
drives
-ll belts shall be of anti"static fire"resistant type.
*ischarge of spar%s or
flames from the exhaust
system
- gas conditioner box and a flame trap shall be installed.
-lternatively, the exhaust should be designed to discharge to a
location within a safe zone.
7lashbac% through induction
system
8herever possible, air inta%es for engines shall be located in a
safe zone. -lternatively, a flame trap should be provided &.arber
valve(.
4xcessive temperature of
exhaust gases and excessive
surface temperature of engine
and exhaust system
The surface temperature of the engine and exhaust system
shall not exceed 23095 when tested under full load
conditions. 4xceptions are when free movement of air is
restricted by thermal or acoustic shielding and:or when the
!ature of hazard )ones 1 and 2
auto"ignition temperature of the flammable, determined by
-+T$ test *2133"00 is below 20095. &mobile combustional
fluid, methane gas than the engine surface temperature is
higher 30095(
;verspeeding of the engine
due to induction of flammable
gas or vapour
- means shall be provided to stop the engine when
overspeeding is caused by flammable gas or vapour.
;verheating due to failure
of cooling water system or loss
of lube oil pressure
-larms or automatic shutdown devices shall be provided,
actioned by excessive water temperature and low
lube oil pressure.
4xcessive engine vibration -n alarm or trip device to protect the engine from excessive
vibrations should be considered.
4xplosions in engine cran%case<
discharge from cran%case and
cylinder head relief valves
and breather
- cran%case volume over 0.3 m2 shall be provided with relief
devices. =elief valves, preferably of .I54=I
design, or breathers on engines shall be fitted with
flame traps or alternatively discharge into the
induction system downstream
of the flametrap, if fitted, and upstream of the shut"off valve, if
fitted. *ipstic%s and :or filler caps should be
screwed or effectively secured by other means.
4xplosions in inta%e or exhaust
systems
Inta%e and exhaust systems shall be designed in accordance
with -ppendix 2.2 of the ;5$- $45"1 document.
7lame transmission to
atmosphere by opening by
opening of decompression
ports
*ecompression systems should not normally be provided.
#owever, if they are essential, then the
decompression ports should be provided with
flame traps and ducted away to a safe zone.
7lame transmission to
atmosphere by opening by
opening of decompression
ports
*ecompression systems should not normally be provided.
#owever, if they are essential, then the decompression ports
should be provided with flame traps and ducted away to a safe
zone.
=everse running of engine The fuel in>ection pump and governor where fitted should be
so designed that reverse running of the engine is not possible.
Table 9. =ecommendations for protection of diesel engines in hazardous zones &;5$-
$45"1(.
=igs which have been designed and euipped with diesel engine power supply to the
drawwor%s, rotary table and mud pumps according to -?I =? 300. do not always comply
with hazardous zone restrictions as defined under the I? 5ode.