Vessel Power System Reducing Fuel Consumption via Battery Backup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Dynamic positioning vessels face inefficiencies and increased emissions due to low load operations of multiple generators, leading to high fuel consumption, carbon buildup, and risk of cylinder bore glazing, which are not adequately addressed by existing split bus configurations.
Innovation Solution
A power system comprising a first and second combustion engine-driven generator, a battery unit, and a converter unit, where the second generator only operates during failures, allowing the first generator to run at higher loads, and the battery unit and converter provide continuous power during transitions, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple generators are operated in parallel during DP operations, then reliability against partial blackout is improved, but specific fuel consumption increases and emissions worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-charges battery units during normal operation when generators are running at optimal load levels. This preliminary energy storage allows the system to maintain reliability during generator failures without requiring continuous operation of multiple generators at inefficient low loads, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system alternates between generators in a periodic manner, allowing each generator to operate at optimal load levels during its active period while the other charges the battery. This periodic operation eliminates the need for continuous parallel operation at low efficiency, reducing overall fuel consumption and emissions while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple generators are operated in parallel, then robustness against blackouts is improved, but carbon buildup and cylinder bore glazing risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-charges battery units during normal operation when generators are running at optimal load levels. This preliminary energy storage allows the system to maintain reliability during generator failures without requiring continuous operation of multiple generators at inefficient low loads, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by switching from continuous parallel operation to alternating single-generator operation with battery support. This parameter change ensures generators always operate at optimal load levels (avoiding low-load carbon buildup conditions) while maintaining robustness through the battery backup system.
3Reliability
If generators operate at low load (15-20%), then redundancy is provided, but efficiency deteriorates and emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-charges battery units during normal operation when generators are running at optimal load levels. This preliminary energy storage allows the system to maintain reliability during generator failures without requiring continuous operation of multiple generators at inefficient low loads, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system alternates between generators in a periodic manner, allowing each generator to operate at optimal load levels during its active period while the other charges the battery. This periodic operation eliminates the need for continuous parallel operation at low efficiency, reducing overall fuel consumption and emissions while maintaining reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces specific fuel consumption, emissions, and carbon buildup, while extending maintenance intervals and ensuring robustness against blackouts by maintaining power delivery during generator failures.
Implementation Method 1
a battery unit, and a converter unit arranged to provide power to the vessel from the battery unit
Implementation Method 2
the converter unit is arranged to deliver power to the vessel during the transition from the first operational state to the second operational state
Data Source
AI summary
A power system for dynamic positioning of a vessel. The power system reduces fuel consumption, carbon buildup deposits and the risk of cylinder bore glazing while in combustion engine driven generators and provides an adequate protection against blackouts. The power system includes first and second combustion engine driven generators, a battery unit, and a converter unit arranged to provide power to the vessel from the battery unit. A first operational state of the power system in which the first combustion engine driven generator is arranged to deliver power to the vessel, and a second operational state, in which the first generator is subject to a fault, the second combustion engine driven generator arranged to deliver power to the vessel, and the converter unit is arranged to deliver power to the vessel during transition between the states.