International Conference KNOWLEDGE-BASED ORGANIZATION Vol. XXIV No 3 2018 PROPULSION SYSTEMS IN MARINE NAVIGATION Gheorghe SAMOILESCU*, Dumitru IORGULESCU**, Robert MITREA***, Laura D. CIZER* *“Mircea cel Bătrân” Naval Academy, Constanța, Romania **Port Crewing, Portugal ***CMC SHIPS Company [email protected] Abstract: This paper presents variants of propulsion systems as the main factor in the analysis and design of the power system of a sea-going or river vessel; this topic is also under research study within two doctoral theses. The analysis of the ship - main propulsion- thruster assembly is made according to the requirements imposed by the market economy. The parameters to be considered when choosing a propulsion system are: the cost of the investment, the specific cost of transport that depends both on the specific fuel consumption and on the number and level of pay of the crew members operating the propulsion system, the propulsion efficiency, the high safety in handling, and the control accessibility during operation. The Pod and Azipod propulsion systems are analyzed in terms of advantages and disadvantages compared to conventional propulsion systems. The azimuth thrusters can ensure maximum push in any direction regardless the speed of the ship, and thus can change the course of the ship according to its handling needs. The azimuth thrusters do not only operate in horizontal but also in oblique angles, providing the ship with great maneuverability, even at low speeds, where classical rudder systems have poor performance. Keywords: propulsion system, AZIPOD – Azimuthing Podded Drive, energy system, ship handling, thrusters 1. Introduction frequently used and generally the most The development of shipbuilding is closely efficient type of marine propulsion. The related to the evolution and improvement of propulsion system plays a decisive role in propulsion systems. A marine propulsion turning a regular ship into an economical system converts a primary form of energy and top of the range one. The efficiency of into mechanical energy that is conveyed to a ship is acknowledged on the basis of the propulsion, with a view to overcoming several criteria such as: economic, the resistance of ship’s advancement in operational safety, crew and passenger order to set it on the desired direction and at comfort ones. The analysis of the ship – the required speed. From an energy point of main propulsion system – thruster combo view, a marine propulsion system consists needs to be conducted during the initial of the power source (the main propulsion stages of the ship’s design, and the machine) and the energy consumer (the propulsion system to be used also needs to thruster). Among the current marine be chosen at an early stage since it will thrusters, the propeller best caters for the have a strong impact on the design of the current naval technique, being the most ship itself. DOI: 10.1515/kbo-2018-0140 © 2015. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License. 78 The choice of the propulsion system of the naval equipment, new propulsion systems ship involves the integration of a large that have changed ship arrangements for number of elements into a functional space, economic and efficiency considerations. the selection of its components (main An alternative to reducing the space propulsion machinery, transmission and dedicated to the propulsion system onboard thruster) and their adjustment according to ships is to use PODS and AZIPOD the constraints imposed by the other propulsion systems[6,7]. elements, as well as their arrangement so Also, an alternative to reducing the space that the system comply with the required dedicated to the propulsion installation performance, a satisfactory configuration onboard ships is to use this system in which and an acceptable cost price. In addition, transmission of the rotation moment from the choice of the propulsion system must the main propulsion engine to the thruster is reflect the ship’s operating profile, and also performed by a mechanical transmission in the analysis of the technical and economic L or Z. The propulsion system that uses an performance of the propulsion system in L or Z transmission between the main order to reduce the specific cost of transport propulsion and the propeller and that can and to enhance operational safety. The also steer the ship by turning the thruster is parameters to be considered when choosing known as the steerable thruster unit. a propulsion system are: the initial The azimuth thrusters make maximum investment cost, the specific cost of pushing in any direction, irrespective of transport that depends on the specific fuel ship’s speed, while changing its direction consumption and on the number and level depending on the steering needs of the ship. of remuneration of the crew serving the The propellers of azimuth thrusters act not propulsion system propulsion, the only in axial current but also in oblique propulsion efficiency, the space allotted to current, providing the ship with a the propulsion system, the operating safety particularly high maneuverability even at and control availability during operation. low speed, where classical rudder systems Finally, the choice of a propulsion system have poor performance. The azimuth involves: determining the power necessary thruster system with counter-rotating on board to reach the desired speed, propellers is a system that combines two choosing the type of propulsion system, the ideas: the idea of the counter-rotating main propulsion machinery and thruster, propellers to divide propulsion power on and setting the propulsion system on board two active discs without performance loss the vessel[1]. The solutions that have been occurring in a conventional twin-screw adopted for the propulsion system onboard ship, and the idea of an azimuth thruster passenger ships are special due to necessary system that innovate both maneuverability high comfort[2]. The final choice has been and compartmentalization by significantly a turbo-electrical propulsion system with reducing the engine room space. gas turbine generators and an electric motor There is a retractable azimuth thruster driven propeller; the motor - propeller version, which in normal operating position system has been mounted outside in a unit can develop maximum push in any named AZIPOD[3,4]. direction, the thruster having the ability to rotate 360°. The propeller located in a Kort 2. POD and AZIPOD propulsion systems nozzle can be housed in a tunnel placed in A marine propulsion system has a direct the hull, while the propeller acts in this effect on the weight, size, speed, position as a transversal thruster - the Bow maneuverability and layout of the ship. The thruster. The (orientable) Azimuth thruster newer and stricter rules in shipbuilding and is considered to be the most widely spread sailing have led to the emergence of new and also the “oldest” product of the 79 propulsion and governance systems, yet they reduce the space occupied by the characterized by low powers. A newly propulsion system engine room on board distinct concept is the AZIPOD thruster the ship, in favor of cargo or passenger system, which extended the range of power spaces; they also reduce noise and vibration used. The drawbacks of Z and L levels; they ensure operational safety, low transmissions are linked to the power fuel consumption as well as low limitation which is transmitted to the maintenance costs; in addition, they are thruster and to the mechanical losses that solid and easy to build and assembly; they can be avoided by mounting an electric ensure both the propulsion and steering of motor in a hydrodynamic body (a “pod”) the ship, provide the ship with special placed under the ship. Here, the electrical maneuverability in rough weather energy produced aboard the ship is conditions as well as at low speed, where transferred to the AC electric motor which classical rudder systems have low directly transmits the moment of rotation of efficiency; they eliminate the classic the propeller-type thruster. Thus, in the components of a steering gear: the rudder, shipbuilding industry a revolutionary the rudder engine, the bow thruster, etc. The propulsion system has appeared, which is problem regarding the position of the known as “Pods - podded drive”, and where propulsion engines and the shaft lines is the shaft line has been replaced by a also discarded, since the on board space compact propulsion unit, placed in a bulb occupied by the engine room is with hydrodynamic forms under the ship. substantially reduced in favor of the space These compact propulsion units show a occupied by goods or passengers; finally, number of advantages related to the small the liberty to place the components of the space occupied by the ship system, the propulsion system reduces design and flexibility of the electric propulsion, the construction costs. possibility of continuous speed control, and The hydrodynamic advantages are obtained easy reversibility. A modern propulsion from the position of the propeller in the system that successfully fulfills the thruster in relation to the angle of attack. requirements of flexibility, minimal The position (in the horizontal and vertical occupancy and provides the ship with plane) and the angle of the propulsion unit extraordinary maneuverability is the can be chosen so as to obtain an optimal AZIPOD (Azimuthing Podded Drive) distribution of the field gear in the thruster propulsion system[8]. disk. This disposition in a favorable current The propulsion system is embedded in an increases the efficiency of the thruster and optimized hydrodynamic module located has positive effects on the fluctuations of beneath the ship’s hull that can rotate 360°. the non-stationary forces induced by the The high-powered AC electric motor is operation of the thruster and the pulsations located in this module and directly of the aft vault. This leads to the reduction transmits the rotation to one or two in the noise and vibration levels induced propellers.