Marine Main Air Compressor

Marine Main Air Compressor is a picture-led study guide to the starting air compressor of a ship: a water cooled, oil lubricated, two stage reciprocating compressor with three cylinders in a W arrangement, its starting air receivers, refrigerated air dryer and emergency air compressor. It is written for marine engineering students and officers preparing for UK MCA oral examinations: Engineer Officer of the Watch (EOOW), Second Engineer (Class 2) and Chief Engineer (Class 1).

Turn the compressor in your hands. The interactive 3D model works completely offline. Drag to rotate, pinch to zoom, press RUN to turn the crankshaft and watch the three pistons, rods and automatic valves work, switch between LOAD and UNLOAD, cut the casing away, follow the air, water and oil, explode the parts, view the whole starting air plant, and tap any part to see how it works.

WHAT IS INSIDE

3D Model: cutaway, RUN, LOAD and UNLOAD, flows, exploded view, labels, whole plant view, guided tour.

How it Works: the compressor in twelve steps, from suction filter and first stage compression through intercooling, second stage, aftercooling and the receiver to cooling, lubrication, the unloaded start and control and protection, each with a picture and a button to see it in 3D, plus key figures.

Parts: 39 picture cards for the crankcase, crankshaft, pistons and rings, suction and delivery valves, intercooler, aftercooler, unloader, drain valves, relief valves, fusible plug, oil pump, receivers, air dryer, emergency compressor and more. Each gives what it is, how it works, the material, checks and the examiner's questions, with a Show in 3D button.

Diagrams: fifteen drawings, five labelled pictures and ten system drawings, including the air path, valves, the P V diagram, cooling water and lubricating oil, automatic start and stop, receiver mountings, the starting and control air system and the refrigerated air dryer. Pinch or double tap to zoom.

Operation: starting, running checks, stopping, emergency operation and safety points.

Oral Questions: choose EOOW, Class 2 or Class 1 and a topic, say your answer aloud, then reveal the model answer and key points. Mark yourself Got it, Nearly or Missed.

Picture Quiz: a picture of a part and four names. Multiple Choice Quiz: questions with the answers shuffled every time.

Glossary of air compressor terms, plus Maintenance and Faults and Remedies: from valve and piston ring overhaul and the weekly checks to low delivery, high temperature, oil carry-over, a leaking valve and a starting air line explosion.

SYLLABUS
Every oral question is mapped to the MCA engineer oral examination syllabus, MIN 654 (M) Amendment 1 (April 2026). Browse the questions by grade or by MIN 654 competence.
Source of the syllabus: Maritime and Coastguard Agency, MIN 654 (M) Amendment 1, published on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/min-654-m-engineering-and-electro-technical-officer-oral-exam-syllabus-amendment-1 . This app is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the MCA or any government body.

FREE AND PRO
Free: the 3D model, How it Works, all part cards, Operation, the glossary, the system diagrams, the EOOW oral questions, 15 multiple choice questions and 10 picture quiz items.
Pro (one payment, no subscription): the Class 2 and Class 1 oral questions, Faults and Remedies, Maintenance, the full quizzes and Search.

PRIVATE AND OFFLINE
No adverts, no analytics, no account, no data collected. Purchases are handled by Google Play. Everything works offline.

ABOUT THE CONTENT
Based on the instruction manuals of a reference compressor installation, the author's teaching and general marine engineering knowledge; not affiliated with any manufacturer. Your own compressor will differ.

Created by Anindya Banerjee
www.anindyabanerjee.co.uk

For educational use only. Always consult the compressor maker's instruction manual, your company procedures and your ship's own documentation.