Analysis of vessel hybrid engine upgrade by a CFD study

ABSTRACT

Maritime transport is one of the most popular means to convey goods over long distances. The relationship between the weight of the transported cargo and the fuel consumption makes maritime transport a very economical solution in relation to other means of transport. However, the great popularity of this type of transport is having consequences, as the significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated by its big internal combustion engines. An alternative to reduce gas emissions is addressed in the present research work, which focuses on the conversion of diesel-powered vessels that are currently in operation to diesel-electric hybrid engines. With this aim, the hydrodynamic vessel behaviour is analysed under operational conditions by OpenFOAM and additionally with Maxsurf Resistance software. Then, a conceptual configuration is proposed under the engine requirements. The study is applied to a BAL vessel, that is a logistics, and supply vessel property of the Mexican Secretariat of the Navy.

KEYWORDS:

• Hybrid engine
• greenhouse gases
• Maxsurf resistance
• OpenFOAM
• vessel resistance forces

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author J. Sanchez-Mondragon thanks to Dirección de Cátedras CONACYT for the financial support granted during the research included in this manuscript.