The necessity to operate ships both sustainably and more efficiently is a eating passion for the maritime globe today, constantly throwing up revolutionary ideas. Can anyone think of a much better and cleaner way of moving giant container ships compared to huge two-stroke diesels which are relied upon today? A mixed gas and steam generator, such as those found on warships, for instance, but with electrical drive to the propeller, appears an interesting concept.
We attempted gas turbine merchant boats some thirty years ago -- think of the Australian ro-ros, some very fast trans-Atlantic textbox ships and the amazing Handmade express ferry Finnjet. These were all technically successful. Unfortunately, it was the steeply increasing fuel prices that wiped out off these vessels ahead of time, leaving gas turbines mostly to navies. But what when the power and flexibility that fuel and steam turbines provide in a compact space could be combined with LNG - the actual “fuel of the future”? So how does15404 this affect the design of substantial containerships?
An interesting collaboration among cryogenic engineers GTT, containership giant CMA CGM as well as classification society DNV GL has resulted in a specialized and feasibility study for any new very large containership created around this LNG fuelled, wind turbine powered concept.
The design shows a number of advantages that finish such a propulsion arrangement. Small and light, while producing a huge power, the combined gasoline and steam turbine may be positioned virtually anywhere within the ship and does away using the need for a large engine space stuffed with machinery. The electric propulsion motors can be placed near to the propeller shaft these people drive. And while the energy to power efficiency ratios associated with conventional diesel engines might be up to 52%, a modern land-based combined cycle LNG fuelled power plant will reach efficiencies of 60%.
The downside regarding LNG as marine gas has always been sees as the area needed for the storage from the insulated tanks, but the creative designers have been able to situate 2 10, 960Cu. m. LNG fuel tanks, with the put together gas and steam generator installation above them, underneath the bridge superstructure. These two aquariums would provide sufficient range for your ship to make an Asia/Europe round trip between bunkering.
With no engine room to consume into the below-decks cargo room, there would be more room with regard to cargo. And with the electric power era separate from the electric ardeur, the designers have been provided even greater flexibility, the design recommending three electric main engines can be arranged on one typical shaft. Clean fuel, simple machinery systems with increased redundancy and a high level of security might also be expected, say the developers to the sort of maintenance techniques that are common practice within the aviation industry. The design continues to be only a concept, but implies that there is plenty of scope regarding innovation in the maritime planet. Meanwhile, the biggest ever a couple of stroke diesel to be built is being installed in another large container ship in Korea. There is lot for makers to think about!