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A marine turbo is a piece of equipment, often called more accurately a marine turbocharger, installed in marine engines in boats and ships to increase the density of air for combustion so that the marine engines can develop more power. By using exhaust gas to drive the compressor blower in the marine turbo (or marine turbocharger), the efficiency of the marine engine is improved.
Basically, the marine turbo consists of a gas turbine driven by the marine engines exhaust gas, which is directly coupled to a centrifugal blower. The blower draws air from the atmosphere and discharges it by blowing it through the marine turbo to the air intake manifold of the engine. Very often an air cooler cools the hot air before or after going through the marine turbo from the compressor. The speed of rotation in a marine turbocharger is high - over 10000 rpm, depending on the load at the engine.
Because of the high speed, the balancing of the shaft in a marine turbo, and mounting of the bearings in a marine turbo are critical. When the marine engine stops, the marine turbo will take some time to come to a standstill.
The lubrication system in a marine turbocharger is designed to allow for this, either in the form of self driven oil pumps, or by using header oil tanks supplying oil by gravity.
In a marine ship environment, it is usual to allow operation of the marine turbo up to a tilt of 15 degrees from horizontal, and a momentarily tilt of 22 degrees in heavy seas.
Marine turbocharger repair is a highly skilled job. Part of the job of a Marine Engineer or a marine services company that specialises in marine turbocharger repair and maintenance. Such a company is NZ Marine Turbochargers Ltd. of New Zealand who cover marine turbocharger repairs for the whole Pacific region, Asia and some of America.
A marine turbo can also be serviced or completely re-conditioned. NZ Marine Turbochargers Ltd. also handle rebuilt turbos and marine turbo parts
Unlike turbochargers in cars and trucks, a marine turbo is designed for marine conditions. A marine turbo has specific requirements to help protect against water.