Analyser aids preventive maintenance onboard

One of the world's most luxurious ocean-going yachts, the Ilona, has Parker Filtration to thank for the smooth running of its unique hydraulic systems.

One of the world's most luxurious ocean-going yachts, the Ilona, has Parker Filtration to thank for the smooth running of its unique hydraulic systems.

The yacht, a vessel of stunning proportions and breathtaking luxury, has been designed, engineered and equipped to ensure no system or detail, whether for safety or comfort, has been left unattended.

Designed and built by a leading Dutch boatyard to exacting standards, the 74m Ilona shows evidence of the integration of innovation with systems design.

Parker Filtration's products ensure the uninterrupted performance of the on-board hydraulic infrastructure and systems, which include a retractable helicopter platform and compartment built into the aft deck and two hydraulic "beach" platforms built into the vessel's hull.

The Ilona's Chief Engineer drew on his past experience and chose Parker's CM20 with its unique portable particle analysis technology to augment state-of-the-art, computerised planned preventive maintenance programmes.

"In confined spaces and with multiple testing points, the portable CM20 provides the ideal monitoring tool for the job", he explains.

The Ilona has two hydraulic ring mains and, with Minimess connections located around the ship at strategic points, condition monitoring and testing can take place at multiple locations, these include: at the hydraulic rams, on the hydraulic tank side, on the pump side and at the fore and aft stabilisers.

The yacht's stern shafts are also monitored and, by using the CM20's download capabilities allowing contamination records to be printed, records can be submitted to a surveyor every five years to satisfy insurance requirements.

This will save considerable sums of money as the stern shaft will not have to be pulled every five years; instead, a 15-year schedule is a possibility.

"In addition, sending an oil sample away for contamination testing would cost $50 every three months; with the CM20, no other costs are incurred and hard copy records can be printed".

In addition to hydraulic filtration, Parker Filtration has an important part to play within the yacht's engine room.

Deep within the boat are two 1865kW Caterpillar engines both of which take advantage of Parker Racor crankcase ventilators.

With a CCV device fitted, rather than venting gases directly to atmosphere, crankcase blow-by is processed through highly efficient filters and returned to the combustion cycle via the turbo charger.

As this is a closed loop, no products escape to atmosphere.

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