Application &

Installation Guide

Engine Room Ventilation

LEBW4971-06
Contents
Engine Room Ventilation ................................................. 1
Sizing Considerations .................................................................. 2
Cooling Air ............................................................................... 2
Combustion Air ........................................................................ 2
Ventilation Airflow ................................................................... 2
Calculating Required Ventilation Airflow .......................... 3
Engine Room Enclosure Temperature .............................. 4
Atmospheric Heat Rejection Correction Factor ................ 4
Ventilation Fans ............................................................................ 7
Fan Types ................................................................................. 7
Fan Location ............................................................................. 7
Fan Sizing ................................................................................. 7
Exhaust Fans ............................................................................ 7
Two Speed Fan Motors ........................................................... 8
Routing Considerations ............................................................... 9
General Routing Principles ..................................................... 9
Single & Dual Engine Applications .................................. 10
Multiple Engine Applications ........................................... 14
Special Application Routing ............................................. 17
Marine Exhaust Ejector – Automatic
Ventilation System ............................................................ 24
Additional Considerations .................................................... 24
Radiator Sizing .................................................................. 24
Radiator Fan Sizing ........................................................... 24
Moveable Louvers ............................................................. 25
Refrigeration Equipment .................................................. 25
Exhaust Pipe Insulation .................................................... 25
 Test With Doors and Windows Closed ............................ 25
Ducting Considerations .................................................... 25
Cold Weather Considerations ............................................... 26
Air Cleaner Icing ................................................................ 26
Extreme Cold ..................................................................... 27
Boost Control ..................................................................... 27
Foreword
This section of the Application and Installation Guide generally describes
Engine Room Ventilation for Cat® engines listed on the cover of this
section. Additional engine systems, components and dynamics are
addressed in other sections of this Application and Installation Guide.
Engine-specific information and data is available from a variety of sources.
Refer to the Introduction section of this guide for additional references.
Systems and components described in this guide may not be available or
applicable for every engine.
Engine Room Ventilation Application and Installation Guide

Engine Room Ventilation

This guide addresses engine room ventilation considerations that apply to
the successful installation, operation and maintenance of Cat engines,
generator sets, compressor units, and other packaged units.
The primary aspects of a properly designed engine room ventilation system
are cooling air and combustion air. Cooling air refers to the flow of air that
removes radiant heat from the engine, generator, other driven equipment
and other engine room components. Combustion air describes the air the
engine requires to burn fuel.
Cooling and combustion air directly impact engine and package unit
performance and dependable service life; these must be considered in the
design of an engine room ventilation system. It is also important to
consider all engine room equipment in the design of a ventilation system
and provide a comfortable environment for service personnel to perform
maintenance.
Some driven equipment, such as a generator in a large engine installation,
may require a dedicated ventilation source.

SECTION CONTENTS

Sizing Considerations ........... 2 Additional Considerations .. 24

• Cooling Air • Radiator Sizing
• Combustion Air • Louvers
• Ventilation Airflow • Refrigeration Equipment
Ventilation Fans ................... 7 • Exhaust Pipe Insulation
• Fan Types • Ducting
• Fan Location Cold Weather
• Fan Sizing Considerations .................... 26
Routing Considerations ........ 9 • Air Cleaner Icing
• General Routing Principles • Extreme Cold
• Boost Control

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Application and Installation Guide Engine Room Ventilation

Sizing Considerations
A system for exhausting ventilation
Cooling Air air from the engine room must be
A portion of fuel consumed by an included in the ventilation system
engine is lost to the environment in design.
the form of heat radiated to the
surrounding air. In addition, heat Combustion Air
from generator inefficiencies and Combustion air is discussed in
exhaust piping can easily equal detail in the Air Intake Systems
engine-radiated heat. Any resulting section
elevated temperatures in the engine of the Application and Installation
room may adversely affect Guide. Some aspects of the intake
maintenance, personnel, air system are discussed in this
switchgear, and engine or generator guide because they significantly
set performance. impact the engine room ventilation
Engine room ventilation air (cooling system design.
air) has two basic purposes. In many installations, combustion
air is drawn from outside the engine
• To provide an environment that room via ductwork that is designed
permits the machinery and to move a large amount of air with
equipment to function properly very little restriction. These
with dependable service life. installations have very little impact
• To provide an environment in on engine room ventilation design.
which personnel can work Other installations, however,
comfortably and effectively. require that combustion air be
It is important to note that cooling drawn directly from the engine
air is needed for more than just the room. In these installations,
engine; the generator intake also combustion air requirements
requires cool clean air. The most become a significant ventilation
effective way to do this is to provide system design parameter.
a ventilation air source low to the Approximate consumption of
ground at the rear of the package. combustion air for a diesel engine is
0.1 m3 of air/min/brake kW (2.5 ft3 of
The use of insulation on exhaust air/min/bhp) produced. Engine-
pipes, silencers, and jacket water specific combustion air
pipes will reduce the amount of requirements can be found using
heat radiated by auxiliary sources. the resources mentioned in the
Radiated heat from the engines foreword of this guide.
and other machinery in the engine
room is absorbed by engine room Ventilation Airflow
surfaces. Some of the heat is Required ventilation airflow
transferred to atmosphere or, on depends on the desired engine
marine installations, to the sea room air temperature as well as the
through the ship’s hull. The cooling air and combustion air
remaining radiated heat must be requirements outlined above. While
carried away by the ventilation it is understood that total engine
system. room ventilation airflow must take
all equipment and machinery into

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Engine Room Ventilation Application and Installation Guide

account, the following sections F = Routing factor based on the

provide a means for estimating the ventilation type discussed in the
airflow required for the successful Routing Considerations section of
operation of Cat engines and this guide.
packages. Note: If combustion air is supplied
Calculating Required to the engine through dedicated
Ventilation Airflow duct work, “Combustion Air”
Engine room ventilation air required should be omitted from the formula.
for Cat engines and packages can Example:
be estimated by the following The engine room for a 3412 DITA
formula. genset has a Type 1 ventilation
H routing configuration and a
V= + Combustion Air xF
D x CP x T dedicated duct for combustion air.
It has a heat rejection value of
Where: 659 kW (37,478 Btu/min) and a
permissible rise in engine room
V= Ventilating Air (m3/min), (cfm) temperature of 11°C (20°F).
H= Heat Radiation i.e. engine, Solution:
generator, aux (kW), The estimated engine room
(Btu/min) ventilation required for this
D= Density of Air at air arrangement:
temperature 38°C (100°F). The 659
density is equal to V= +0 x1
1.099 x 0.017 x 11
1.099 kg/m3 (0.071 lb/ft3)
V = 3206.61 m3/min
CP = Specific Heat of Air
(0.017 kW x min/kg x °C),
(0.24 Btu/LBS/°F) V=
37478
+0 x1
0.071 x 0.24 x 20
T= Permissible temperature rise
in engine room (°C), (°F) V = 109970.7 cfm
(Note: Max engine room
temperature is 120°F) Proper ventilation is heavily
dependent on the path of the
ventilation air. Applications
involving high load factors and
continuous full power operation
require a rigorous approach based
on classical heat transfer
calculations accounting for radiant
heat and allowable room
temperature rise and adjusting with
a ventilation routing factor.

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Application and Installation Guide Engine Room Ventilation

Engine Room/Enclosure If the engine room temperature

Temperature exceeds 40°C (104°F), the generator
The primary reason for maintaining must be derated per the generator
engine room temperature at an derate schedule and cool outside air
appropriate level is to protect must be ducted directly to the
various components from excessive generator air intake. Alternatively,
temperatures. Items that require custom generators can be sized to
cool air are: handle specific ambient conditions.
In larger multiple engine sites, the
• Electrical and electronic normal 8.5 to 12.5°C (15 to 22.5°F)
components. temperature rise guidelines for
• Cool air to the air cleaner inlet. engine rooms may require
• Cool air to the torsional vibration unobtainable or uncomfortable air
damper. velocities. For these larger sites, a
ventilation system needs to give
• Habitable temperatures for the priority to the five items listed
engine operator or service above and provides a bottom to top
personnel. airflow similar to that shown in
• Cooling air for the generator or Figure 8 and Figure 9. In all cases,
other driven equipment. engine room/enclosure design must
ensure that air temperature around
A properly designed engine room the engine will not exceed 50°C
ventilation system will maintain (122°F). Critical locations include the
engine room air temperatures engine torsional damper and
within 8.5 to 12.5°C (15 to 22.5°F) generator coupling. Air temperature
above the ambient air temperature. reading should be taken no more
For example, if the engine room than 6 inches away from these
temperature is 24°C (75°F) without components. Note that in these
the engine running, the ventilation extreme situations, it may be
system should maintain the room necessary to duct cool air directly
temperature between 32.5°C (90°F) to these critical components.
and 36.5°C (97.5°F) while the engine
is in operation. Atmospheric Heat Rejection
Correction Factor
Caterpillar recommends a Atmospheric heat rejection values
ventilation design that ensures published in TMI are based on
engine room temperature does not ambient cell conditions between
exceed 49°C (120°F). If the engine 25°C and 29°C. Engine rooms can be
room temperature cannot be designed at much higher ambient
maintained below 49°C (120°F), conditions; therefore a correction
cooler air should be ducted directly factor can be utilized to define the
to the engine air cleaners. atmospheric heat rejection at the
Temperature limits of the driven higher ambient condition.
equipment must also be considered. The correction factors defined
For model-specific electronic below have been developed using
components, reference the fundamentals of heat transfer and
appropriate service manual or EDS can be applied to any object under
sheet for that component’s allowed the same conditions.
surface temperatures.

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Engine Room Ventilation Application and Installation Guide

There are two distinct correction Radiant Heat

factors, one is used with wet Radiant heat values for the engine
exhaust and turbo manifolds, the and driven equipment is needed to
other is used with dry exhaust and calculate the required ventilation
turbo manifolds. The skin airflow.
temperature utilized in the dry Note: For the packaged generator
manifold calculation is 200°C, sets, ensure that there is adequate
approx value of the wrapped, or airflow near the engine torsional
insulated manifold. damper. Excessive piping and
Wet exhaust and turbo manifold cooling system structures may
correction factor. prohibit proper airflow near the
WCF = -.0156 * TER + 1.4505 torsional damper. Monitor damper
temperatures per the
Where: recommendations found in the
WCF = Wet Correction Factor Operation and Maintenance
Service Manual.
TER = Ambient Engine Room
Ambient (°C) This data is available in the TMI for
Cat products. It is located in the
Dry exhaust and turbo manifold Performance Data section.
correction factor.
Engine
DCF = -.011* TER +1.3187 Engine generated radiant heat (heat
Where: rejection to atmosphere) is routinely
provided with published engine
DCF = Dry Correction Factor technical data. Values are typically
TER = Ambient Engine Room nominal with their tolerance noted.
Temperature (°C) Tolerance should always be added
before using published data in
To obtain the corrected atmospheric calculations.
heat rejection value, multiply the
TMI value by the WCF or DCF.

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Application and Installation Guide Engine Room Ventilation

Generator Example:
For generator set installations, the A 3512B, 975 ekW standby
heat radiated by the generator can generator set has a generator
be estimated by the following efficiency of 92%. The generator
formulas. radiant heat for this genset can be
calculated as follows.
HRG (kW) = P x
[(1/Eff) – 1] Solution:
P = 975 ekW
HRG (Btu/min) = P x [(1/Eff) – Efficiency = 92% / 100% = 0.92
1] x 56.9 HRG = 975 x (0.92 – 1)
HRG = 84.78 kW
Where: HRG = 975 x (0.92 – 1) x 56.9
HRG = Heat Radiated by the HRG = 4824 Btu/min
Generator (kW), (Btu/min)
P= Generator Output at Note: This data is available in the
Maximum Engine Rating TMI for Cat generators. It is located
(ekW) in the Performance Data section.
Eff = Generator Efficiency % / 100%

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Engine Room Ventilation Application and Installation Guide

Ventilation Fans
Except for special applications, natural Fan Sizing
draft ventilation is too bulky for Fan sizing involves much more than
practical consideration. Adequate just selecting a fan that will deliver
quantities of fresh air are best the airflow volume needed to meet
supplied by powered (fan-assisted) the cooling air and combustion air
ventilation systems. requirements. It requires a basic
Fan Types understanding of fan performance
The following types of ventilation characteristics and ventilation
fans are typically used. system design parameters.
Similar to a centrifugal pump, a fan
• Vane-axial operates along a specific fan curve
• Tube-axial that relates a fan’s volume flow rate
• Propeller (m3/min or cfm) to pressure rise
(mm H2O or in. H2O) at a constant
• Centrifugal fan speed. Therefore, fan selection
(squirrel cage blowers) not only requires that the volume
The selection of fan type is usually flow rate be known, but also that
determined by ventilation air the ventilation distribution system
volume, pressure requirements and be known in order to estimate
space limitations within the engine the system pressure rise. This
room. The fans have various information allows the optimum
qualities that make them better fan to be selected from a set of
suited to certain applications. manufacturers’ fan curves or tables.

Fan Location Exhaust Fans

Fans are most effective when they Ventilation air exhaust systems
withdraw ventilation air from the should be designed to maintain a
engine room and exhaust the hot air slight positive or negative pressure
to the atmosphere. However, ideal in the engine room, depending on
engine room ventilation systems the specific application.
will utilize both supply and exhaust Positive pressure should normally
fans. This will allow the system not exceed .050 kPa or (0.2 in. H2O).
designer the maximum amount of This positive pressure provides the
control over ventilation air following advantages.
distribution.
The fan motors should be mounted
outside the direct flow of hot
ventilating air for longest motor life.
The design of centrifugal fans
(squirrel cage blowers) is ideal in
this regard, but their size, relative to
the vane-axial or tube-axial fans,
sometimes puts them at a
disadvantage.

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Application and Installation Guide Engine Room Ventilation

• It prevents the ingress of dust kPa (0.5 in. H2O). The excess
and dirt, which is especially exhaust ventilation provides the
beneficial for those applications following advantages.
involving engines that draw their • It compensates for the thermal
combustion air from the engine expansion of incoming air.
room. • It creates an in draft to confine
• It creates an out draft to expel heat and odor to the engine room.
heat and odor from the engine
room. Two Speed Fan Motors
Some applications, such as a Operation in extreme cold weather
marine application where the may require reducing ventilation
engine room airflow to avoid uncomfortably cold
is adjacent to living quarters, working conditions in the engine
require that a slight negative room. This can be easily done by
pressure be maintained in the providing ventilation fans with two
engine room. This negative pressure speed (100% and 50% or 67%
should not normally exceed 0.1275 speeds) motors.

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Engine Room Ventilation Application and Installation Guide

Routing Considerations
This mixes the hottest air in the
General Routing Principles engine room with incoming cool
Correct ventilation air routing is air, raising the average engine
vital for proper operation of Cat room temperature. This also
engines and packaged units. leaves areas of the engine room
Maintaining recommended air with no appreciable ventilation.
temperatures in the engine room is
impossible without proper routing • For installations where
of the ventilation air. The following engines draw combustion air
principles should be considered from inside the engine room, the
when designing an engine room routing should provide the coolest
ventilation system. possible combustion air to the
turbocharger inlets.
• Fresh air inlets should be located • For marine and offshore
as far from the sources of heat as applications, the potential exists
practical and as low as possible. for seawater to be drawn into the
• Ventilation air should be ventilation air supply; systems
exhausted from the engine room for these applications must be
at the highest point possible, designed to prevent seawater
preferably directly over the from being drawn into the air
engine. intake filters and ingested by
• Ventilation air inlets and outlets the turbocharger. Generator
should be positioned to prevent cooling air must also be filtered
exhaust air from being drawn to minimize the ingestion of salt.
into the ventilation inlets These general routing principles,
(recirculation). while driven by the same basic
principles of heat transfer, will
• Ventilation air inlets and outlets vary with the specific application.
should be positioned to prevent This section discusses the general
pockets of stagnant or considerations relating to single and
recirculating air, especially in the dual engine applications, multiple
vicinity of the generator air inlet. engine (3+) applications, and several
• Where possible, individual special applications.
exhaust suction points should be
located directly above the
primary heat sources. This will
remove heat before it has a
chance to mix with engine room
air and raise the average
temperature. It must be noted
that this practice will also require
that ventilation supply air be
properly distributed around the
primary heat sources.
• Avoid ventilation air supply
ducts that blow cool air directly
toward hot engine components.

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Application and Installation Guide Engine Room Ventilation

Single & Dual Engine Outside air is brought into the

Applications engine room through a system of
Single and dual engine applications ducts. These ducts should be routed
are arguably the most common between engines, at floor level, and
applications encountered, discharge air near the bottom of the
regardless of engine market. engine and generator as shown in
These applications will generally Figure 1.
require smaller engine rooms, Ventilation air exhaust fans should
which are especially challenging in be mounted or ducted at the highest
regard to the use of good routing point in the engine room. They should
practices. be directly over heat sources.
Recommended ventilation systems This system provides the best
for these applications, presented in ventilation with the least amount of
order of preference, are Type 1, air required. In addition, the upward
Type 2, Type 3 and Type 4. flow of air around the engine serves
Ventilation Type 1 (Preferred as a shield which minimizes the
Design) amount of heat released into the
Note: In ventilation airflow engine room. Air temperature in the
calculations, Type 1 systems have exhaust air duct will be higher than
a Routing Factor of 1. engine room air temperature.

Ventilation Type 1

Figure 1

Ventilation Type 2 (Skid Design) room through a system of ducts

Note: In ventilation airflow and routes it between engines.
calculations, Type 2 systems Type 2, however, directs airflow
have a Routing Factor of 1. under the engine and generator so
A skid design may be preferred the air is discharged upward at the
in petroleum applications. Similar engines and generators as shown
to the Type 1 system, Type 2 in Figure 2.
brings outside air into the engine

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Engine Room Ventilation Application and Installation Guide

The most economical method to This system provides the best

achieve this design is to use a ventilation with the least amount of
service platform. The platform is air required. In addition, the upward
built up around the engines and flow of air around the engine serves
serves as the top of the duct. This as a shield which minimizes the
requires the service platform to be amount of heat released into the
constructed of solid, nonskid plate engine room. Air temperature in
rather than perforated or expanded the exhaust air duct will be higher
grating. The duct outlet will be the than engine room air temperature.
clearance between the decking and Although the Type 1 system provides
oilfield base. Regular care must be effective ventilation for the engine,
used to ensure grating remains it does not consider the special
clean and the airflow unrestricted. ventilation needs of the driven
Ventilation air exhaust fans should equipment. Large generators,
be mounted or ducted at the highest configured with an air inlet
point in the engine room. They should positioned high on the generator,
be directly over heat sources. will require an additional source of
ventilation air.

Ventilation Type 2

Figure 2

Ventilation Type 3 (Alternate Note: In ventilation airflow

Design) calculations, Type 3 systems have
If Ventilation Type 1 or Type 2 a Routing Factor of 1.5.
is not feasible, an alternative As shown in Figure 3, outside air
is Type 3; however, this routing is brought into the engine room
configuration will require utilizing fans or large intake ducts.
approximately 50% more airflow The inlet is placed as far away as
than Type 1. practical

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Application and Installation Guide Engine Room Ventilation

from heat sources and discharged Engine heat will be dissipated with
into the engine room as low as this system, but a certain amount of
possible. The air them flows across heat will still radiate and heat up all
the engine room from the cool air adjacent engine room surfaces.
entry point(s) toward the sources of If the air is not properly routed, it
engine and equipment heat; these will rise to the ceiling before it gets
include the engine, exposed to the engines.
exhaust components, generators, or
other large sources This system will work only where
of heat. the air inlets circulate the air between
the engines, for dual engine
Ventilation air exhaust fans should applications. Air inlets located at
be mounted or ducted at the highest the end of the engine room will
point in the engine room. provide adequate ventilation to only
Preferably, they should be directly the engine closest to the inlet.
over heat sources.

Ventilation Type 3

Figure 3

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Engine Room Ventilation Application and Installation Guide

Ventilation Type 4 This system mixes the hottest air in

(Less Effective Design) the engine room with the incoming
If Ventilation Type 1, Type 2 cool air, raising the temperature of
and Type 3 are not feasible, the all air in the engine room. It also
following method can be used; interferes with the natural convection
however, it provides the least flow of hot air rising to exhaust fans.
efficient ventilation and requires Engine rooms can be ventilated this
approximately two and a half times way, but it requires extra large
the airflow of Ventilation Type 1. capacity ventilating fans.
Note: In ventilation airflow Incorrect Airflow
calculations, Type 4 systems have Figure 5 illustrates an incorrect
a Routing Factor of 2.5. method to vent engine room heat.
As shown in Figure 4, outside air is Although the inlet duct has louvers
brought into the engine room using to direct airflow toward the engine,
supply fans, and discharged toward rising heat will warm the cool air
the turbocharger air inlets on the before it can reach the engine.
engines.
Ventilation exhaust fans should be
mounted or ducted from the corners
of the engine room.

Ventilation Type 4

Figure 4

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Application and Installation Guide Engine Room Ventilation

Incorrect Airflow

Figure 5

Multiple Engine Applications Large multiple engine sites will

The ventilation systems generally utilize multiple ventilation
recommended for single and dual fans. These sites often use one or
engine applications also apply to two fans for each engine and an
multiple engine applications. additional fan to direct air to the
However, there are additional inlet of the generator or other
considerations that are specific to driven equipment. This practice
multiple engines. allows for
As previously mentioned, using a very simple arrangement
normal temperature rise guidelines requiring minimal ductwork.
will likely result in the requirement The use of multiple ventilation fans,
for extremely large volumes of air for either supply or exhaust, will
on multiple engine installations. require that airflow between the
Although the guidelines for these engines be arranged, either by fan
sites may be more generous placement or by distribution
in regard to temperature rise ductwork.
allowance, the ventilation system Figure 6 and Figure 7 show
must be designed to provide examples of correct and incorrect
sufficiently cool air in the immediate airflow patterns for multiple engine
vicinity of the engine and driven sites. (Note: generator ends would
equipment to meet their ventilation be
requirements. on right side of diagrams)

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Engine Room Ventilation Application and Installation Guide

Correct Airflow

Figure 6

Incorrect Airflow

Figure 7

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Application and Installation Guide Engine Room Ventilation

Figure 8 and Figure 9 show

examples of the bottom-to-top
airflow pattern generally used in
large power plant applications.

Bottom-to-Top Airflow

Figure 8
Bottom-to-Top Airflow

Figure 9

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Engine Room Ventilation Application and Installation Guide

Special Application Routing Two methods can be used to

Engine Mounted Radiators overcome this problem.
Applications with engine-mounted • Remote mounted and specially
radiators using engine room air ducted engine-mounted
for cooling generally provide radiators do not require engine
more airflow than is necessary room air for cooling; refer to
for adequate ventilation; refer Figure 11. One advantage of
to Figure 10. The high airflow such a system is that the air used
combined with low ambient to cool the radiator is not pre-
temperatures, below 21°C (70°F), can heated by the engine, thus
cause water to condense inside increasing the ambient capability
exposed engine components, such (or reducing the size) of the unit.
as valve covers. This can result The disadvantage is that motor-
in oil and maintenance problems. driven fans must be installed to
Therefore, special installation provide ventilation for the engine
considerations must be made in which increase the overall cost
cold climates. of the system.

Engine-Driven Fan Arrangement

Figure
10

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Application and Installation Guide Engine Room Ventilation

Engine-Driven Fan Arrangement

Figure 11

Radiator with Thermostatically Controlled Louvers

Figure 12

• Thermostatically controlled must be exercised so that the

louvers can be installed to recirculated air is reintroduced
recirculate some of the radiator upstream of the engine and is
exhaust in order to maintain a well mixed by the time it reaches
warm airflow across the engine. the radiator.
Refer to Figure 12. This also
maintains a comfortable working
environment for maintenance
personnel. Caution

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Engine Room Ventilation Application and Installation Guide

For any arrangement where a radiator Air Curtains

fan is used to ventilate an engine
room, the vacuum created in the
engine room must not exceed
0.1275 kPa (0.5 in. H2O). Any
restriction above this limit could
reduce airflow through the radiator
and overheat the engine.
Air Curtains
Air curtains, totally enveloping the
generator set, provide ventilation
without exposing the equipment
room to high air velocities. Refer to Figure 13
Figure 13. Radiated heat is It is important to stretch the air curtain
removed with approximately half inlet the full length of generator set.
the airflow of a horizontal flow Special care must be used to ensure
system. adequate cool airflow at the generator
air intake and at the generator
coupling.
Air curtains present ducting
challenges when local fan radiators
are used.

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Application and Installation Guide Engine Room Ventilation

Power Modules can derate 5 to 7°C (9 to 13°F) when

Power modules generally utilize enclosed. Refer to the Enclosure
radiator cooled diesel generator Installation section of the
sets. The power module enclosures Application & Installation Guide for
trap the radiated heat from the spacing recommendations for
engine and generator, and direct it power modules. Figure 14 and
through the radiator, decreasing Figure 15 show examples of
cooling capabilities 8 to 10°C (14 to typical Cat containerized power
18°F). Even with doors open, radiators modules.

40’ Containerized Power Module

Figure 14
1. Cat D/G Set 5. Fuel/Water Separator
2. Radiator 6. Fuel Tank
3. Switchgear 7. Vertical Discharge Chute
4. Silencer

40’ Containerized Power Module

Figure
1. Cat D/G Set 5. Fuel/Water Separator 15
2. Radiator 6. Fuel Tank
3. Switchgear 7. Partition Wall
4. Silencer

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Engine Room Ventilation Application and Installation Guide

Drop-Over Enclosures system that is subject to the same

Drop-over enclosures are utilized requirements as previously outlined
for applications requiring some for single and dual engine
degree of weather protection or applications.
noise attenuation, when a standard Figure 16 illustrates a typical diesel
building is not available for generator set with a drop-over
housing. If the enclosed package is enclosure. While this example uses
cooled by an engine-mounted exhaust fans for ventilation, the
radiator, then the power module use of supply or exhaust fans
requirements outlined above apply. on a particular application will be
If the enclosed package is cooled by determined by the need to maintain
a remote radiator or other means, either a slight positive or negative
then the enclosure must be pressure inside the enclosure.
provided with a fixed ventilation

Drop-Over Enclosure Example

Figure
16

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Application and Installation Guide Engine Room Ventilation

Land SCR Rig Ventilation Figure 18 shows an engine room

Systems designed to provide a combination
Land SCR rig engines equipped with of ventilation and engine/generator
suction or blower fan radiators have air inlet ducting.
airflow in excess of that required for Ventilation is provided by the air
recommended engine ventilation. discharged from the generator. In
As long as radiator airflow is not warm weather, the air source valve
obstructed, no further ventilation is positioned to provide outside air
requirements are needed. to the generator ventilation air inlet.
Land rig engine installations with Air discharged from the generator
remote radiators or vertical discharge exits through the roof vent door and
radiators should be inspected to open rear of base, providing engine
determine if sufficient engine ventilation as a secondary result.
ventilation is provided. In cold weather, the air source valve
Figure 17 illustrates a land rig will be positioned to provide partial
installation where ventilation or total generator ventilation air
should be considered. Natural from within engine room.
draft ventilation is almost completely If doors are added to rear of base,
blocked by roofs, SCR house, make sure that total enclosure is not
tool room, and vertical discharge airtight. This prevents pressurizing
radiators. Warm weather operation engine room (reducing generator
may result in unacceptable engine ventilation airflow) when doors
and generator temperatures. are closed and air source valve is
positioned to provide outside air
Land Rig Engines Requiring to generator.
Ventilation
An air duct size of 2.0 sq. ft.
(0.19 m2) is adequate for 3508,
3512, and 3516’s on up to 40 ft. (12.2
m) bases. The ducting to the air
cleaners from air source valve can
match the sizes of the optional air
cleaner inlet rectangular adapters.

Figure
17

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Engine Room Ventilation Application and Installation Guide

Typical SCR Land Rig Ventilation

Figure
18
Marine Through-Hull Opening through accommodation spaces can
Design be troublesome.
There must be openings for air to
enter the engine room and Features of Through-Hull
openings for air to leave the engine Ventilation Openings
room.
There should be an inlet for cool air
to enter, and a discharge for hot air
to leave, on each side of the hull. If
it is impractical to have two
separate openings per side, then
avoid having hot discharged air mix
with cool air entering the engine
room.
Features of the Marine Through-Hull
Opening are shown in Figure 19.
Opening ‘A’ should be sized to
maintain air velocity through the
openings below 610 m/min
(2000 ft/min).
Air Entering the Engine Room Figure 19
The engine room must have openings
for air to enter. The intake air opening If air is to enter the engine room from
should be located forward of, and, the accommodation spaces, good
if convenient, at a lower elevation, design practice will include sound
than the discharge. The air may deadening treatments for the
also enter from the accommodation opening(s) that conduct air from the
spaces, such as the galley and accommodation spaces to the
staterooms, or directly through the engine room. Heating and/or air
hull or deck. Engine room air inlets conditioning of accommodation
spaces will be made much more

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Application and Installation Guide Engine Room Ventilation

complicated if the engines must rely Additional Considerations

on that heated/cooled air for
combustion. Engine room air inlets Radiator Sizing
through accommodation spaces The frontal area of a radiator core
simplify the task of ensuring the should be as large as possible to
engine room inlet air is kept clean minimize restriction of airflow. Low
and free from rain or spray. radiator core restriction allows the
use of a larger slower turning fan.
Air Leaving the Engine Room
The through-hull or through-deck Radiators that are nearly square
openings for discharge of heated can provide the most effective fan
ventilation air should be located aft performance. They can be installed
of and higher than all intake openings with a minimum of unswept core
to minimize recirculation. area. As a rule, keep core thickness
to a minimum, with a maximum
The ventilation air opening, of 11 fins per 2.54 cm (1.0 in.).
discharging heated ventilation air, Increasing the number of fins per
should be located aft of, and at a cm (in.) does increase the radiator
higher elevation than the intake heat rejection for a given air velocity
air opening in order to minimize through the core, but also increases
recirculation. Cross- and following- the resistance to airflow.
winds make total elimination of
ventilation air recirculation nearly While the most economical initial cost
impossible. will be maximum core thickness
and fins per cm (in.), this involves
Marine Exhaust Ejector – higher fan horsepower with
Automatic Ventilation System consequent operating cost and
A relatively simple system utilizing noise penalties throughout the life of
an engine’s exhaust for ventilating the installation. In addition, a
an engine room can be arranged radiator with more fins per cm (in.) is
with most dry exhaust systems. much more susceptible to plugging
Ductwork can be installed around from insects and debris.
the engine exhaust piping in such a Radiator Fan Sizing
way that the exhaust flow creates As a rule, the most desirable fan is
a vacuum that is utilized to draw the one having the largest diameter and
hot air out of the upper part of the turning at the lowest speed to deliver
engine room. the required airflow. This also
An exhaust ejector system may results in lower fan noise and
draw out a quantity of ventilating air lowest fan horsepower draw from
approximately equal to the flow of the engine.
exhaust gas. This method has been Blade tip speed, while being only
used successfully in marine one of the elements of cooling fan
applications with small engine design, is an item easily changed
rooms and minimal ventilation by choosing an appropriate fan
requirements, and is discussed in drive ratio. An optimum fan tip
more detail in the Exhaust Systems velocity of 6096 cm/s (12,000 fpm) is
section of the Application and a good choice for meeting noise
Installation Guide. legislation requirements and
cooling system

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Engine Room Ventilation Application and Installation Guide

performance requirements. The space, ensure its location is such

maximum acceptable fan blade tip that any refrigerant leakage will not
speed is 7620 cm/s (15,000 fpm) for be drawn into the engine’s
Cat fans. combustion airflow. Refrigerant
Moveable Louvers chemicals, such as Freon and
If moveable louvers are used, ammonia, become highly corrosive
specify those which open in a acids in engine combustion
positive manner. Pneumatic and chambers. This corrosion will cause
electric-actuated louvers are severe damage. Locating refrigerant
satisfactory. Refer to Figure 20. compressors near an engine room
air exhaust area is appropriate.
Exhaust Pipe Insulation
Long runs of hot, uninsulated exhaust
piping can dissipate more heat into
the engine room than all other
machinery surfaces combined.
Completely insulate all exhaust
piping within the engine room area.
All hot surfaces within the engine
room should be insulated if high air
temperatures are to be avoided. Do
Figure 20 not insulate engine turbochargers.
Test With Doors and Windows
Closed
Louver Operation Ventilating systems must be designed
• Louvers which open from the to provide safe working temperatures
discharge pressure of the and adequate airflow when windows,
radiator fan are discouraged. doors, and other normally closed
Rain, ice and snow can render ports are secured for bad weather
them inoperative within a short conditions. Test the ventilation
time and result in engine system fully secured for bad weather.
overheating and shutdown. This condition will reflect the most
• Do not wait to activate the severe test of the ventilation
louvers until the engine warms system. Remember that a small
up. In an emergency, the engine room suction can exert a large
will be loaded immediately and pressure on an entrance door
require full airflow. Open the or window.
louvers as soon as the engine Ducting Considerations
starts and install them to open Design all ducting to withstand
fully in case of an emergency. extremes of vacuum or pressure
• Heat sensors needlessly and still maintain tight joints.
complicate the system and their
malfunction can reduce airflow
to the engine which can cause
shutdown.
Refrigeration Equipment
When refrigeration equipment is
installed within the engine room
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Application and Installation Guide Engine Room Ventilation

Provide inspection ports (or areas Cold Weather

that are easily disassembled) to
allow removal of foreign objects. Considerations
Inspection ports are especially Air Cleaner Icing
important for standby applications. Air cleaner icing can occur in
saturated air environments when the
dew point of the ambient air is near
freezing. Small disturbances to the
air such
as velocity and pressure changes
at the air cleaner inlet reduce the
moisture-holding capacity of the air.
This results in moisture condensation
and ice crystal formation. The ice
buildup reduces the airflow area
and increases the pressure
differential across the air cleaner.
Eventually,
a plateau is reached where the
pressure differential remains
constant even though ice buildup
may continue. Power loss and
increased fuel consumption will
result during these periods.

Typical Air Plenum Arrangement

Figure
21

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Engine Room Ventilation Application and Installation Guide

Typical Warm Air Arrangement

Figure 22

Several techniques may be used preconditioned with pre-heaters for

to overcome air cleaner icing. One metal, water and oil temperatures
solution is to heat the intake air of 0°C (32°F). Admitting engine
slightly. It is not necessary to heat room air must be done without the
the air above freezing. The air requires possibility of allowing dirt or debris
only enough heat to be above the into the air inlet system of the
dew point. Heat can be supplied to engine. Figure 12 and Figure 22,
the air cleaner housing by 10as indicated above, will also
recirculating warm engine room air; apply here.
Figure 12 shows how this can be Boost Control
accomplished for a radiator cooled A boost control valve is available for
application. Figure 21 shows a the 3600 diesel engine family for use
typical air plenum arrangement for in extremely cold ambient conditions,
a marine application and Figure 22 0°C (32°F). The valve is used to limit
illustrates the how a warm air the air inlet manifold pressure
arrangement may be configured. during low air temperature conditions
Extreme Cold to maintain acceptable cylinder
Heated engine room air may be pressure.
required (for starting purposes only)
in applications at very cold ambient
temperatures, -25°C (-13°F). This
assumes combustion air is being
drawn from outside the engine
building, and the engine is

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