The product of an innovative energy-efficient propeller development project conducted by propulsion equipment designers Teignbridge Propellers International will now be ready for testing by mid-summer. The project is commissioned and funded by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), a public-private partnership between global energy and engineering companies and the UK Government.

Ever increasing pressure on significant energy consumers to reduce carbon emissions, coupled with rising energy costs is driving innovation in the shipping industry and specifically improvements in propulsion efficiency. The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has recently published an Insights report (http://www.eti.co.uk/insights/targeting-a-30-improvement-in-fuel-efficiency-for-marine-vessels) which analyses potential opportunities for ship owners and operators and identifies the most promising technologies, including high efficiency propulsion systems (HEPS), that have the potential to reduce fuel consumption and hence reduce in carbon emissions.

The technology has an ambitious fuel efficiency improvement target of greater than 8% on the UK heavy duty vessel fleet.The research vessel in under construction at Exeter maritime and due for completion and launching in late June or early in July.

Objectives

The project aims to:

  • Design, develop and demonstrate ahigh-efficiencyy propeller based propulsion system
  • Provide a commercially-viable, retrofit-able, HEPS
  • Demonstrate the results in independent full-size ship trials from the ETI representative UK HDV Marine Fleet Vessels
  • Inform ship operators and owners of actual fuel saving benefits
  • Deliver a platform technology to provide benefit across to the marine market

Optimisation of Propeller Design

In addition to the new propeller designs, all aspects of propeller geometry will be examined and tested to establish the optimum propeller design. A large series of actual prototype models will be tried and tested using the research vessel.

Hydrodynamic Research Vessel

Teignbridge’s purpose designed research vessel is currently under construction. The 14m long, twin-hulled vessel, will be used to trial and test a range of propeller prototypes and propulsion equipment. The vessel which is a floating laboratory is believed to be the first of its kind. A retractable pod drive system will provide a test bed in the clear water between the hulls where the testing will take place. It will be capable of testing a range of propellers from

A retractable pod drive system will provide a test bed in the clear water between the hulls where the testing will take place. It will be capable of testing a range of propellers from slow speed with high bollard pull, to high speed in excess of 40 knots.

Many of the applications will be able to be tested using full-size prototypes, but the larger ship prototypes required for developing the HEPS will be scaled using 1.2m diameter models.

Full-scale propeller performance will be independently verified in trials through charter of a vessel identified as a representative UK HDV Marine Fleet Vessel.

 

More information on the company and the test vessel can be found at www.teignbridge.co.uk. Press release provided by Teignbridge Propellers International.

More information on the ETI’s HDV Marine Programme can be found at http://www.eti.co.uk/programmes/transport-hdv