Engine exhaust systems are an important part of any offshore rig for exhausting noxious gasses from diesel combustion engines. However, once exhausted, these fumes and gasses can often drift onto work platforms and cause serious issues for workers and equipment. Our innovative and proprietary exhaust system, the ENJET, offers a superior solution for this common problem in the marine industry.
What is the ENJET Engine Exhaust System for Offshore Rigs?
ENJET is a specialized industrial engine exhaust system patented by Eldridge. We designed this system to provide superior exhausting power to offshore rigs for noxious gasses and particulates from large marine engines. ENJET is an engine exhaust jet nozzle to help dilute and propel engine exhaust out away from occupied areas. This can help reduce the hazards associated with rollback from exhausted engine fumes, even during inclement weather.
The ENJET system draws in ambient air and mixes it with noxious fumes from engine exhaust for dilution. Then, it uses the jet nozzle to shoot the exhaust out at high velocities, sending the exhausted fumes 50 or more feet away from the rig to prevent rollback into worker-occupied spaces.
Problems with Traditional Engine Exhaust Systems for Marine and Offshore Applications
The reason ENJET engine exhaust systems are so revolutionary is because traditional exhaust systems have difficulty preventing rollback from exhausted gasses. Generally, the exhausted fumes simply exit the exhaust pipes as needed. However, oftentimes this allows the exhausted gasses to waft back toward the rig. This can create a near-constant haze of diesel engine exhaust that can create many hazards for your crew and your equipment. This haze can cause oily surfaces creating a safety hazard and coat lifeboats and other equipment black creating a visibility issue.
Hazards of Exhausted Engine Gasses and Particulates
Diesel exhaust fumes, which are the most common type of exhaust fumes in offshore applications, contain many potentially harmful chemicals, gasses, and particulates. Combusted diesel fuel can create many noxious elements, such as:
- Nitric Oxide (NOx)
- Sulfur Oxide (SOx)
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
- Carbon Monoxide (CO)
- Hydrocarbons (HC)
- Particulates
Therefore, fumes from diesel exhaust in offshore applications can create many hazards. Since it’s not generally possible or practical to simply move to avoid the fumes, your rig and crew can face health and safety issues as well as premature equipment degradation with regular exposure. ENJET engine exhaust systems aim to limit this exposure, but let’s discuss what’s at stake with frequent exposure to diesel exhaust fumes.
Health Complications
According to the EPA, diesel exhaust fumes can have major impacts on human health. Exposure to these exhaust gasses can increase the risk for serious conditions like asthma and respiratory illnesses. It may also worsen heart and lung diseases and can even increase the risk for premature death.
Offshore workers frequently exposed to diesel exhaust fumes often report other symptoms as well. For instance, nausea, dizziness, headaches, and fatigue. Some also report changes in lung function and irritation in the eyes and nasal passages.
Therefore, diesel exhaust is a serious issue for your workers. Ill workers from prolonged exposure to exhaust fumes can lead to increased need for healthcare and increased absences from work, as well as lower productivity on your rig. Instead, the right marine engine exhaust system as part of your industrial ventilation systems can help reduce exposure and the health complications associated with diesel exhaust fumes.
Safety Issues
Diesel exhaust rollback on offshore rigs can also create safety hazards for your crew. For one, diesel exhaust can create a haze around your rig that reduces visibility. This can create untold safety issues for workers on your rig.
In addition, diesel exhaust fumes frequently create a residue that can pose a safety hazard for your crew. Typically, diesel exhaust rollback on offshore rigs creates a black, oily residue on various surfaces on your rig. This can create slip hazards and make it difficult to get traction. Therefore, it’s also important to consider potential safety risks from diesel exhaust residue.
Equipment Deterioration
Another issue many offshore rigs face is premature equipment deterioration from exposure to diesel exhaust fumes. Diesel exhaust is hot and corrosive, which can harm many pieces of equipment and machinery on your rig. Regular exposure to these damaging gasses and residue can cause equipment on your rig to experience increased wear and tear. This can put your rig at risk for more frequent breakdowns. It can also increase costs for things like maintenance, repairs, and replacements for equipment and machinery on your rig.
How our Proprietary ENJET Engine Exhaust Systems Work
ENJET engine exhaust systems use specially designed plenums and air pressurization systems to take in air surrounding the system. It then uses that air to dilute engine exhaust gasses before discharging them at incredibly high velocities, even in high winds and inclement weather conditions. The ENJET system uses several components patented by Eldridge, including the storm guard hood for air intake even in wet conditions. All these components connect to the ENJET exhaust nozzle, which propels the exhaust from the engine out at high velocities. This helps remove hot, noxious gasses away from occupied areas.
Each ENJET system is tailored to your operations, such as the wind conditions, platform geography, as well as the model and brand of your engine. We use all this information and plug it into our proprietary computer model to design industrial engine exhaust systems for optimal performance for your rig.
Heavy-Duty Ventilation Solutions for the Marine Industry from Eldridge
When you need top quality ventilation solutions, choose our team at Eldridge. We offer years of experience solving even the toughest ventilation challenges in a variety of industries, including the marine industry. Our team has worked with countless offshore rigs and vessels to improve ventilation systems. As one of the top air ventilation companies in the country, we have provided many innovations for marine ventilation, including explosion proof fans, fume extraction systems, storm guard hoods, dehumidification systems, and our ENJET engine exhaust systems. Get in touch today to request a quote for your ventilation needs.