Electronic controls are set to rule the waves
The supremacy of electronically controlled marine engines is being increasingly realized by ship operators having been battered by the economic turmoil, spiraling oil prices, stringent environmental standards and forced to resort to evasive measures in piracy affected areas. Though introduced in 2003 these electronically control engines have undergone radical transformation in recent years as a result of their continuous up-gradation through tests, feedback and design enhancement.
The versatility of these electronically controlled engines is apparent from the fact they give insignificant NOx emission which is 1/3rd of that of a conventional engines. There is saving of $ 300,000 in operation each year of service per vessel based on an engine which delivers 81,000 Kw power at 94 rpm.
Giving details Francis Akkara, Sr. General Manager and Vice Principal of Anglo Eastern Training Centre in Mumbai and an authority in this field having been closely associated with the development especially that of MAN B&W TURBO informed that these engines are used on large merchant ships such as container vessels of 12,000 plus TEU capacity cruising at 24 to 30 knot speed. The operation is contrary to conventionally powered vessels which resort to slow steaming to cut down cost but cannot cut down the speed too much because they have to maintain the required rpm.
“Experience has shown that these electronically controlled engines can run below 10 rpm very efficiently bringing about cost saving of $ 500 per ton of fuel,” stated Mr. Akkara. “This means that for a vessel of 12,000 TEU consuming 250 metric tons a day would add up to $ 125,000 saving. This is made possible by the use of various multi-purpose electronic systems used for controlling the fuel injection, exhaust valve function and cylinder oil lubrication. Mechanical components such as chain drive, camshaft, air distributors, etc., are omitted and exhaust valve, fuel pump and local maneuver system, etc., are redesigned to achieve the best desired results. Redundancy of electronic components is well thought of to ensure high reliability and overcome any eventuality at sea. The engine works with hydraulic power supply coupled with electronic controls. All the mechanical activations in the conventional engines have been modified with hydraulic power supply in the electronic engines.
“Accurate detection of timing of the pistons with respect to the top dead centre has been done by an innovative tacho pick-up system to the tune of 0.1 to 0.2 degree accuracy. The position sensing system, hydraulic system and various other electronically monitoring devices make the engine work efficiently to regulate emission and reduce fuel consumption in an optimum manner. Development which is an ongoing process based on service and experience is always incorporated in modifying and redesigning various components to achieve better efficiency and reduce failure frequency.
It is quite evident that electronics will soon power all marine operations. Considering the turn of events there is no doubt that electronic controls will soon rule the waves.
About Anglo-Eastern Training Centre
Anglo-Eastern Maritime Training Centre, Mumbai is the authorized training centre for MAN B&W courses equipped with MAN Diesel Marine Electronic Engine Simulator. It is the only one of its kind of Full Mission ME engine simulators installed in the South East Asia. The training centre is fitted with the full mission engine simulator modeled on the MAN B&W 6S50MC the pneumatic control system for MC Engines and the MAN B&W Holby 6L 28/32 diesel engine. This simulator is used for training crews specifically in the management and operation of its ME range of electronically-controlled camless engines, to meet the growing challenge of solving electro technical problems which might arise out at sea. Anglo Eastern Maritime training centre is one of the well acclaimed value added training centre which regularly trains more than 8000 sea going personnel each a year. Anglo Eastern technically manages more than 330 ships world wide and has a crew-strength of more than 12,000 Indians.