Predictive Maintenance of a Marine Diesel Engine Cooling System Using Thermo-Hydraulic Operating Relationships

Abstract

This study investigates the cooling system of an MTU marine diesel engine as one of the critical subsystems responsible for maintaining the engine’s thermal stability and ensuring operation within safe design limits specified by the manufacturer. The study adopts an analytical–applied methodology combining theoretical analysis based on heat transfer and fluid mechanics principles,  with practical implementation using Arduino UNO for data acquisition and monitoring of cooling parameters.

The research focuses on the relationships between Cooling Temperature (CT), Cooling Pressure (CP), and Cooling Flow Rate (CF), as the most representative indicators of the cooling system’s operational condition , The results indicate that deviations in these variables can serve as early indicators of faults such as pump inefficiency, heat exchanger fouling, or air entrainment in the circuit.

The study confirms that analyzing the graphical relationships between these parameters provides a practical framework for implementing predictive maintenance strategies in marine diesel engines and enhances operational reliability while reducing unexpected failures.