Introduction to MS

lube oil system

reservoir
The MS lube oil system reservoir is a critical component in the reliable
operation of marine diesel engines. This large-capacity tank serves as the
central hub for the engine's lubrication system, storing and circulating the
vital lubricating oil that keeps the engine's moving parts well-lubricated
and protected from wear. The reservoir is typically fabricated from durable
steel and features robust internal welds and joints to ensure structural
integrity and prevent leaks, even under the demanding conditions of the
marine environment.

BM
by Bhyrappa M
Reservoir Fabrication
Drawings
The fabrication drawings for the MS lube oil system reservoir provide the
detailed specifications and technical requirements for the manufacturing
process. These detailed engineering drawings include multiple views, cross-
sections, and isometric perspectives to fully capture the complex geometry
and internal components of the reservoir. All critical dimensions, material
thicknesses, and weld joint locations are clearly annotated on the drawings
to ensure precise fabrication.

The drawings specify the overall size and shape of the reservoir, as well as
the placement and sizes of nozzles, manholes, and other openings required
for installation and maintenance. Internal baffles, support structures, and
component mounting points are also clearly delineated to guide the
welding and assembly of the reservoir. These fabrication drawings serve as
the authoritative reference for the manufacturing team to produce a
reservoir that meets the exact specification and quality requirements of the
MS lube oil system.
Internal Welding Requirements
The internal welding requirements for the MS lube oil system reservoir are critical to ensuring the structural integrity and long-term
performance of the unit. Firstly, all welds must be completed using high-quality, corrosion-resistant welding materials, such as
stainless steel electrodes or filler wire, to withstand the harsh operating environment. The welding process should adhere to strict
industry standards, with a focus on minimizing distortion, ensuring full penetration, and eliminating porosity or inclusions.

1. All internal welds must be inspected using non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, such as visual inspection, dye penetrant
testing, or ultrasonic examination, to verify the quality and conformance to specifications.
2. Weld joints should be designed to minimize stress concentrations and provide adequate access for welding and inspection.
Wherever possible, the use of full-penetration butt welds is preferred over partial-penetration fillet welds.
3. The internal surfaces of the reservoir must be carefully ground and polished after welding to remove any sharp edges or
irregularities that could promote the accumulation of contaminants or compromise the flow of the lube oil.
4. Proper control of welding parameters, such as current, voltage, travel speed, and shielding gas, is crucial to ensuring consistent,
high-quality welds that meet the required strength and corrosion resistance specifications.
5. Qualified welders, following approved welding procedures, must perform all internal welding to ensure consistent, high-quality
workmanship. Weld inspections and documentation are essential to verifying the integrity of the final assembly.
Welding Joint Types and Specifications
Butt Joints Fillet Joints Lap Joints Edge Joints

Butt joints are a common type of Fillet joints are triangular-shaped Lap joints are created when two Edge joints are used to join two
welding joint where two pieces of welds that are used to join two pieces of metal are overlapped pieces of metal that are aligned
metal are joined together at their pieces of metal that are at an and joined together. This type of along their edges, such as in the
ends, forming a straight, flush angle to each other, such as in joint is often used in sheet metal fabrication of a tank or a vessel.
surface. These joints are often the fabrication of a corner or a fabrication, as it provides a These joints are often used in
used in applications that require tee joint. These joints are strong, efficient connection while applications where a smooth, flat
high strength, such as in the commonly used in applications minimizing the amount of surface is required, and they can
construction of pressure vessels, where high strength is not the welding required. Lap joints can be single-pass or multi-pass,
piping systems, and structural primary concern, but rather, be single-sided or double-sided, depending on the thickness of
components. Proper preparation ease of fabrication and depending on the specific the materials being joined.
and fit-up of the joint edges are aesthetics are more important. application and the accessibility
crucial to ensure a strong, Fillet welds can be single-pass or of the joint.
uniform weld that meets the multi-pass, depending on the
required specifications. thickness of the materials being
joined.
Welding Joint Photos for Reference

Butt Weld Joint Lap Weld Joint Fillet Weld Joint Edge Weld Joint
This image shows a high-quality butt In this image, we see a well- This image depicts a fillet weld joint The image showcases an edge weld
weld joint between two metal executed lap weld joint. The plates between two perpendicular metal joint between two metal plates. The
plates. The edges of the plates are are overlapped by a consistent plates. The weld bead is even and plates are fitted together with a
perfectly aligned, creating a tight, amount, creating a secure and shows full penetration, indicating a clean, uniform edge, creating a
seamless fit. The weld bead is uniform joint. The weld bead is strong and reliable connection. smooth and seamless connection.
consistent and even, with minimal smooth and even, with a slight While there is some discoloration The weld bead is consistent and
discoloration or irregularities, reinforcement that adds strength to present, the overall quality of the even, with minimal spatter or
indicating a skilled welding process the connection. The warm, side weld is high, demonstrating the irregularities, showcasing the
and proper preparation of the joint. lighting highlights the texture and welder's skill and attention to detail. precision of the welding process.
The lighting is neutral, allowing the contours of the weld, showcasing The diffuse overhead lighting The cool-toned lighting emphasizes
details of the weld to be clearly the craftsmanship involved in the provides a clear view of the joint, the metallic finish of the joint,
visible. fabrication process. allowing for a thorough inspection of highlighting the technical aspects of
the workmanship. the fabrication.
Material Selection and Thickness
The material selection and thickness for the MS lube oil system reservoir
are critical to ensuring its durability, strength, and safe operation. The
reservoir will be subjected to high pressures and temperatures during
normal operation, so the chosen material must be able to withstand these
demanding conditions.

Carbon steel is the most common material used for lube oil reservoirs due
to its excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and
affordability. Specifically, ASTM A516 Grade 70 carbon steel is a popular
choice as it provides a good balance of strength, weldability, and ease of
fabrication.

The thickness of the reservoir walls and internal components will depend
on the size and design of the overall system, as well as the operating
pressures and temperatures. As a general guideline, the walls should be a
minimum of 6 mm thick to provide adequate structural integrity and resist
deformation or failure under load. Thicker sections may be required in
areas with higher stresses, such as nozzle connections or support points.
Reservoir Dimensions and Layout
The MS lube oil system reservoir will be fabricated to precise dimensions and layout
specifications to ensure proper functionality and integration with the overall system. The
reservoir will be a rectangular shape, measuring approximately 6 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 3
feet tall. These dimensions provide ample volume to store the required oil capacity while
maintaining a compact footprint for the system. The walls of the reservoir will be constructed
from 1/2-inch thick carbon steel plate, selected for its strength, durability, and corrosion
resistance in the harsh marine environment.

The layout of the reservoir will incorporate various internal components and features to optimize
performance. A series of strategic baffles will be welded into the interior of the reservoir to help
dampen fluid sloshing and ensure smooth oil flow during operation. These baffles will be
positioned at key locations based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to minimize
turbulence and maintain a stable oil level. Additionally, the reservoir will include a dedicated
area for the installation of the oil level indicator and other instrumentation required for
monitoring and control of the system.

The overall reservoir design will adhere to industry standards and best practices for marine
machinery oil storage systems. Special attention will be paid to the placement of inlet and outlet
connections, as well as any necessary manholes or access hatches, to ensure easy maintenance
and servicing of the reservoir and associated components. The final layout and dimensions will
be thoroughly reviewed and approved by the client prior to the commencement of fabrication.
Baffles and Internal Components
Baffles Level Monitoring Inspection Ports
The MS lube oil system reservoir will incorporate The reservoir will be equipped with state-of-the- To facilitate maintenance and inspection, the
strategically placed baffles to help control and art level monitoring systems to provide real-time reservoir design will incorporate a series of
direct the flow of oil within the reservoir. These information on the oil level. This may include a strategically placed inspection ports. These
baffles will be fabricated from the same high- combination of mechanical and electronic ports will allow authorized personnel to visually
quality steel as the main reservoir body and will sensors, strategically placed at key points within inspect the internal components, such as the
be precisely positioned to optimize fluid the reservoir. These systems will be integrated baffles, without the need to fully drain and
dynamics and prevent excessive turbulence or with the overall control and monitoring system disassemble the reservoir. The ports will be
swirling. The baffles will be welded into place for the MS lube oil system, allowing operators to equipped with high-quality, sealable covers to
using specialized techniques to ensure a robust quickly and accurately assess the oil level and maintain the integrity of the system when not in
and leak-free installation. Their design will take take appropriate action as needed. use. The placement and size of these ports will
into account the expected operating conditions, be carefully considered to ensure easy access
such as pressure, flow rate, and temperature, to and minimize disruption to the overall system.
ensure efficient and reliable performance.
Quality Control and Inspection
1 Dimensional Accuracy Checks 2 Weld Inspection
The fabrication drawings for the MS lube oil system reservoir will As the reservoir will have several critical internal welds, a
include precise dimensional specifications. During the manufacturing comprehensive weld inspection program must be established. This
process, it's critical to conduct rigorous dimensional checks at key will involve visual inspections, dye penetrant testing, and potentially
stages to ensure the reservoir components are being produced within radiographic testing to verify the integrity and quality of the welded
the allowable tolerances. This includes verifying the overall size and joints. Experienced welding inspectors will carefully examine each
shape, as well as the dimensions of features like nozzle openings, weld for defects like cracks, porosity, and insufficient penetration. Any
baffle locations, and weld joint preparations. Accurate measurement welds that do not meet the specified acceptance criteria will be
tools like coordinate measuring machines and calibrated micrometers marked for rework or rejected.
will be used to validate the dimensional compliance.

3 Material Verification 4 Final Inspection and Testing

The reservoir material, likely carbon steel, will be validated through Before the completed reservoir is approved for shipment, it will
chemical and mechanical testing to confirm it matches the specified undergo a thorough final inspection. This will include a detailed visual
grade and properties. Samples from each batch of material will be examination of the internal and external surfaces, as well as
tested to ensure compliance with the design requirements. functional testing to validate the reservoir's performance. Depending
Additionally, the welding consumables like filler metals and shielding on the requirements, the final inspection may also involve hydrostatic
gases will also be verified to maintain the desired weld quality. pressure testing to verify the structural integrity and leak-tightness of
the assembly.
Manufacturing Process and Timeline
1 Material Procurement
The first step in the manufacturing process is to procure the necessary materials for the MS lube oil
system reservoir. This includes ordering the steel plates and other components such as nozzles,
flanges, and fittings in the required sizes and specifications. The purchasing team will work closely
with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of all materials to the fabrication facility.

2 Fabrication
Once the materials are on hand, the fabrication process can begin. The steel plates will be cut to the
required dimensions using precision cutting equipment. The internal baffles and other components
will also be fabricated during this stage. The team of skilled welders will then carefully assemble the
reservoir, following the detailed drawings and specifications to ensure accurate fit and structural
integrity.

3 Quality Inspection
After the reservoir is fully assembled, a comprehensive quality inspection will be conducted. This
includes visual inspections, dimensional checks, and non-destructive testing (NDT) such as X-ray or
ultrasonic examination to verify the integrity of the welds. Any necessary corrections or rework will
be performed to ensure the reservoir meets all project requirements.