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DieselElectric Marine Propulsion
Synchronous Torque
Motor
Professional Torque Motor
Supplier With 12 years history,
22Nm-50000Nm
written by: Ricky • edited by: Lamar Stonecypher • updated: 5/19/2011
Compared to direct diesel drives, diesel electric propulsion systems are technically and operationally superior in
virtually all applications. This superiority has been a major reason for the steadily growing demand for dieselelectric
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1/19/2015 Renewed Interest in DieselElectric Marine Propulsion
main drives in marine engineering applications.
Introduction:
Electrical propulsion system offers numerous advantages for ships that are subject to specific requirements. They are
rated as particularly economical, environmentally friendly and reliable, offer considerable comfort in terms of operation
and control, have optimal maneuvering and positioning properties, low vibration and noise levels, and additionally
enable the best possible utilization of space owing to their reduced noise levels.
The electrical side of all systems will be based on a direct current or an alternating current motor, coupled to the ship’s
propeller shaft, with the speed and direction of propeller rotation being governed by electric control of the motor itself or
by the alternation of the power supply.
Layout of Diesel Electric Propulsion
The electrical propulsion arrangement for a ship is often described as a dieselelectric or turboelectric system. It is
characterized only by the type of prime mover with no reference to the type of electrical propulsion motor. When the
prime mover is a diesel engine, then it is called DieselElectrical Propulsion. The most commonly used diesel electrical
propulsion systems are not a new concept. In the past these systems were usually diesel engine driven D.C generators
that supplied power to D.C motors. Their applications were generally limited to vessels that required a degree of low
speed maneuvering.
Vessels such as ferries, harbor tugs, and various other applications used diesel electrical systems for features that were
not available in mechanical systems at that time like speed control and maneuverability. To date, electrical propulsion
systems have been used mainly for specialized vessels rather than for cargo ships in general. These include dredgers,
tugs, trawlers, lighthouse tenders, cable ships, ice breakers, research ships, floating cranes, and vessels for the
offshore industries. Electricaldrive systems have made substantial progress in recent years.
Modern SCR and frequency controlled systems have
efficiencies approaching 97% in power conversion. The
selection of one over the other is an application issue. The
deep draft cruise ship industry, due to the high hotellike
power requirements, is adopting highpower diesel
electrical propulsion systems in most of its new builds.
Both technologies have a proven record of efficiencies and reliability. For a direct current propulsion motor, the
electrical power may be from one or more DC generators or may be form an alternator and then delivered through a
rectifier as a DC supply. The power for direct current motors is limited to about 8 MW, and so AC machines are used for
high outputs unless an effort is made to install DC motors in tandem. The rectification scheme can incorporate speed
control and a means of reversing.
Power for AC propulsion motor is supplied obviously by an alternator; the prime movers may be a diesel engine, a gas
turbine, or a boiler and steam turbine installation.
The choice of diesel electrical system as the power source for a propulsion system of a vessel has nothing to do with
hydrodynamic efficiency. The propulsion system of a vessel provides thrust to move the vessel and is still chosen by the
designer based on merits for the vessel’s application. Conventional propellers, controllable pitch propellers, azimuthing
Z drives, transverse tunnel thrusters, and low speed water jet systems can be driven with equal effectiveness by a
dieselelectrical system.
Dieselelectrical propulsion becomes viable when the installed KW for propulsion approaches or is exceeded by the
KW installed for other purposes. The convenience of electric power distribution makes it possible to optimally locate the
primary power source, i.e. diesel generators, exclusive of consideration as to whether it is for propulsion, thrusters, or
cargo handling purposes. A large variation in propulsion power requirements, such as long periods of low speed
operation or the necessity to shift power from main propulsion to thrusters for dynamic positioning purposes, can also
justify diesel electric systems.
Modern turbocharged diesel engines are efficient over a relatively narrow operating load and RPM range. They are
not suitable for long period of low speed, low load, low RPM, high torque requirements for reversing large propellers.
Modern generator systems with load sharing, autostart, and load shedding features make it possible to efficiently
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1/19/2015 Renewed Interest in DieselElectric Marine Propulsion
utilize the installed horsepower of a diesel electrical system.
Lay Out of Diesel Electric Propulsion in Ships
Advantages of Diesel Electric Propulsion
Diesel electrical propulsion can overcome the following design problems:
When propulsive or stationkeeping power requirements are a small or relatively small percentage of total power
requirements, research vessels with special maneuvering requirements, and gaming vessels where speed is
inconsequential (such as a gaming vessel operating in a river).
When space and propulsion machinery limitations either exclude the use of direct diesel or adversely affect the
construction costs resulting from using direct diesels:
1. Vessels with hull and struts too small to accommodate diesel engines, access, ventilation, etc.
2. Vessels with potential trim problems, such as stern wheelers, where machinery need to be located forward to
avoid trim problems.
3. Vessels that require, due to space limitations, more than one machinery space are subject to increased
construction cost due to duplication of increases in system such as: engine cooling, space ventilation, control
facilities, exhaust, etc.
4. Vessels that have a large variation in power consumption.
The fact that the propulsion power may be supplied by an electric motor instead of a direct driven diesel engine does
not makes equipment aboard the vessel any less familiar to the operator.
The utilization of the diesel engines is transferred from direct propulsion power to generate power. This provides
greater flexibility in the use of installed KW, and in some instances, reduces the number of diesel engines installed. The
ability to generate only the power required to meet the needs of the duty cycle of vessels utilizing multiple generator
sets reduces fuel consumption and maintenance cost. It also provides redundancy in power capacity.
Salient Features of Diesel Electric Propulsion
1. Economic Reasons
Diesel electric propulsion is especially economical for a number of reasons:
1. Optimal utilization of fuel for diesel engines to generate electrical power, even in partial load ranges.
2. High efficiency across the entire speed range.
3. Reduced maintenance costs through longer service intervals based on the optimized operating times of diesel
engines with constant speed.
4. Minimal standstill time for maintenance and service.
5. Flexible and needoriented use of diesel generator sets in combination power plant for drives and onboard power
systems.
2. Availability
Diesel electric propulsion systems demonstrate high availability for reasons that include:
1. Modular design with small probability of total loss of propulsion power.
2. Sharply reduced number of moving mechanical parts.
3. Proven technologies based on decades of operating experiences.
4. Redundant drives with one propeller are also possible.
5. Designs are also possible for maximum redundancy requirements.
3. Environmental Compatibility
Diesel electrical propulsion systems protect the environment because the pollution emissions of diesel engines is
reduced by operating the engine at the optimal speed and load ranges.
4. Operating Convenience
Diesel electrical propulsion is very convenient for the users, because of the following:
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1. Excellent dynamic response from zero to maximum propelling speed.
2. Short reversing time.
3. Availability of maximum torque across the entire speed range at the propeller.
4. Quite operation.
5. Minimum mechanical vibrations.
5. Flexibility
1. Flexible arrangement of components in the ship.
2. Simplified mechanical requirements for the propeller shaft.
3. Reduced space requirements in the shaft system.
4. Design and engineering of propeller is independent of the drive.
5. Flexibility in the choice of diesel engine speed.
Images
Wikimedia commons Diesel Electric Propulsion.
References
Man Diesel Turbo Diesel Electrical Propulsion
Dieselduck Ship propulsion Layout
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