Diesel Engines for Locomotives: Disassembly and Washing

24/05/2004

The German Railways plants in Bremen, Chemnitz and Cottbus are specialized in the maintenance of heavy vehicles such as locomotives with combustion engines (V-Lok).

Highly sophisticated plant and equipment, such as elevated platforms, service pits, test rails, casting systems, spray booths, testing equipment with SPS control, etc., are required for the overhaul and extraordinary maintenance of diesel locomotives in accordance with the regulations (Eisenbahnordnung = EBO) established by the railway company.

A new engine parts washing system has been in operation at the Bremer works since early 2004.

Meta Clean, a company with headquarters in Rheine, was awarded the supply contract for the system, which was specially designed and constructed by Rosoma GmbH of Rostock.

The wash booth is designed to clean parts up to 4 metres long, 1.5 metres high and 2 metres long, weighing up to 5 tonnes. The parts washing and rinsing process takes 20 to 30 minutes. The system is suitable for double shift operation: only one operator is needed for each shift.

The heart of the system consists of a combination of Lowara pumps. Two 37 kW, 100 LM 200 type centrifugal pumps connected in series guarantee a flow rate of 120 mq/h and a pressure of 10 bar at the nozzle inlet.

The flow and pressure performance, with a washing temperature of 80° C, ensure optimum results.

A FHS 65-200/220 (22 kW) centrifugal pump with a flow rate of 110 mq/h at 5 bar provides for the subsequent rinsing process at 65°C.

The power input of the entire system is 85 kW.

ITT-Lowara (www.lowara.com), headquarters of "Residential and Commercial Water - EMEA" part of the ITT Corporation and located in Montecchio Maggiore, Vicenza - Italy, is a leader in the manufacture of hydraulic pumps and water handling and control systems. It has 1.348 employees in Europe, 771 operating in Italy. In 2007 its consolidated sales totalled about 284 million euro, or over 390 million dollars.
ITT Corporation (www.itt.com) is a diversified high-technology engineering and manufacturing company dedicated to creating more livable environments, enabling communications and providing protection and safety. The company plays an important role in vital markets including water and fluids management, global defense and security, and motion and flow control. ITT employs approximately 40,000 people serving customers in more than 50 countries. Headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., the company generated $9 billion in 2007 sales.