Marine Fuel Filter Differential Pressure Monitoring (Predictive Maintenance & Fuel Quality) — ATEX

Predicts maintenance, ensures clean fuel

Differential Pressure (ΔP)

Quick Overview

Problem

Marine engines and port fuel systems rely on clean fuel supply. Progressive clogging of fuel filters often goes unnoticed until pressure loss causes engine derating, shutdowns, or injector damage—especially critical in ATEX-classified fuel handling areas.

Solution

SENSAiO’s ATEX-certified differential pressure (ΔP) sensors continuously monitor pressure drop across marine fuel filters, enabling early detection of clogging and condition-based maintenance.

Value

Prevented engine stoppages • Improved fuel quality • Reduced maintenance OPEX • Higher vessel & terminal availability

ATEX

Zones 0–2 • Ex ia IIC T4 Gb certified differential pressure sensors

The Operational Challenge

Marine and port fuel systems include:

  • Ship fuel supply lines (diesel, HFO, MGO)
  • Port bunkering stations
  • Fuel polishing and filtration skids
  • Emergency generator fuel systems

Fuel quality variability, contamination, and biofouling lead to:

  • Progressive filter clogging
  • Reduced fuel flow to engines
  • Increased pump load and energy use
  • Risk of injector and engine damage

Traditional monitoring typically relies on:

  • Manual gauge readings
  • Fixed maintenance intervals
  • Alarms triggered only after severe restriction

These methods are reactive and often detect problems after operational impact has already occurred.

Why Differential Pressure Monitoring Matters

Differential pressure across a filter is the most reliable indicator of its condition.

Continuous ΔP monitoring enables operators to:

  • Detect gradual clogging trends early
  • Identify abnormal contamination events
  • Optimise filter replacement intervals
  • Prevent sudden fuel starvation

In marine propulsion and port operations, early detection protects engines, avoids unplanned downtime, and maintains safe operations during manoeuvring or cargo handling. In ATEX fuel handling zones, remote monitoring also reduces manual checks near flammable products.

SENSAiO Solution

SENSAiO delivers a wireless, intrinsically safe ΔP monitoring solution for marine and port fuel filtration systems.

Core Components

Differential Pressure Sensor (ATEX Ex ia IIC T4 Gb)

High-accuracy ΔP measurement across fuel filters, suitable for diesel, HFO, and marine gas oil.

Wireless Communication

Supports LoRaWAN, Modbus, and MQTT, enabling integration with ship automation systems, port SCADA, and maintenance platforms.

Installation & Power

Battery-powered installation on upstream and downstream filter taps — no cabling or shutdown required.

Operational Benefits

  • Early detection of filter clogging
  • Stable fuel flow to engines
  • Reduced risk of engine derating or shutdown
  • Optimised filter consumption

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
Filter replacement Conservative Optimised
Engine reliability Variable Improved
Unplanned stoppages Possible Reduced
Maintenance efficiency Lower Higher

ATEX Compliance and Safety

All differential pressure sensors for marine fuel filtration monitoring comply with:

  • Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb (Zones 0–2)
  • IECEx certification
  • ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU

The intrinsically safe design enables safe installation in fuel handling and bunkering areas without shutdown.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, Modbus RTU/TCP, MQTT, REST API

Systems

Ship automation systems, port SCADA, CMMS

Vendors

Kongsberg, ABB Marine, Wärtsilä, Siemens

Cybersecurity

AES-128 encrypted communication with secure transport

FAQ - Common Questions

Are Sensa.io sensors compatible with any gateway or network?

Yes, they connect to any LoRaWAN or MQTT infrastructure (Kerlink, Cisco, Milesight, MultiTech, etc.) for flexible integration with existing SCADA systems.

What ATEX certifications apply to Sensa.io devices?

All hazardous-area models are certified Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb and IECEx approved for Zones 0–2.

What is the typical battery life?

Up to 10 years at 15-minute intervals, depending on signal strength and environment.

How are the sensors integrated into existing systems?

Through standard protocols — LoRaWAN, Modbus, MQTT, REST API — no proprietary middleware needed.

How does predictive maintenance reduce OPEX?

Early anomaly detection reduces emergency interventions by 30–40 %, extends equipment life and lowers energy costs.

What does the Sensa.io Valve Position Sensor actually measure?

The device detects real-time valve position states—open, closed, or intermediate—with high accuracy. It continuously sends this information wirelessly to your monitoring dashboard.

Can this sensor detect partial valve movement or stuck valves?

Yes. The sensor identifies irregular patterns such as partial movement, delayed response, or stuck valves, enabling early maintenance before failure occurs.

Is this sensor suitable for manual, motorized, and actuated valves?

Yes. It supports a wide range of valve types including ball, gate, butterfly, actuator-driven, and manual valves.

How fast does it update the valve position?

You can configure the reporting interval—from seconds to minutes—depending on your operational and battery needs.

How long does installation take?

Most installations take under 10 minutes. The sensor mounts using brackets or clamps without modifying existing valves.

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