Analysis of the influence of the engine, propeller and auxiliary generation interaction on the energy efficiency of controllable pitch propeller ships

• In a context of increasing requirements for energy efficiency, this paper aims at improving theunderstanding on the interaction between engine, propeller, and auxiliary heat and power generation in theparticular case of controllable pitch propeller (CPP) ships. The case study of a CPP propelled chemical tankeris used to analyze the application of the proposed approach. The performance of the ship’s standardarrangement using a shaft generator for the fulfillment of auxiliary power demand is compared to theoperational alternative of using auxiliary engines, and with the possibilities for retrofitting with frequencyconverters and waste heat recovery systems. The influence of control systems parameters and of sea state arealso analyzed and compared. The results show a large possibility for improvements, both via operationaloptimization (up to 8.3% increased energy efficiency) and via different types of retrofitting (with increasedefficiencies of up to 11.4% for frequency converters, and 16.5% for WHR systems). The influence of a broadoperational envelope brings even larger improvements to the efficiency of the energy system at low speeds. Theresults of the paper provide useful information about the influence of different technologies for auxiliary powergeneration on the efficiency of CPP propelled vessels.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Energiteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Energy Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

modelling

CPP

shipping

propulsion system

energy efficiency

Publication and Content Type

kon (subject category)

ref (subject category)