TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE SHIP FUEL CONSUMPTION

1. Fuel Oil Emulsion (FOE) technology

Fuel Oil Emulsion (FOE) technology by Blended Fuel Solutions burns more completely than unmodified fuel and so uses less fuel, emissions are lower and the engines run cooler and so should require less maintenance. This would reduce use of fuel and the level of emissions as well as give a significant financial saving.

2. Low Loss Hybrid Energy System

The Low Loss Hybrid (LLH) System by Wartsila is an innovative technology which utilizes different power sources in combination with energy storage devices to operate the prime movers closest to their optimum performance. A key feature of the system is its ability to reduce transient engine loads that cause increased fuel consumption and added emissions. The Wartsila LLH system is integrated with the inverter control units and interfaces with the conventional power management system.

Furthermore, by increasing the power redundancy, the system allows the engine to operate closer to its optimum design point where it has highest efficiency and least emissions. Reduced maintenance and increased system performance through rapid response from the energy storage system are also among the benefits offered.The overall hybrid control system is the key element in the total control and stability of the ship’s electrical system and the energy flows.

In addition to annual fuel savings of up to 15 per cent, depending on the type and configuration of the engine and mission profile, the LLH ensures a substantial reduction in exhaust gas emissions.

3. Air Lubrication

Air Lubrication System is a method to reduce the resistance between the ship’s hull and seawater using air bubbles. Also known as the “Bubble technology”, it works on the principle of supplying air to the ship’s underside in order to create a layer of tiny bubbles that would help in reducing the friction between the hull and the seawater.

The air bubble distribution across the hull surface reduces the resistance working on the ship’s hull, creating energy-saving effects. With the right ship hull design, the air lubrication system is expected to achieve up to 10-15% reduction of CO2 emissions, along with significant savings of fuel.

4. Fuel Saving Propeller Attachment

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has used an energy-saving device called Hi-FIN attached at the hub of the ship propeller, which generates countering swirls that offset the swirls generated by the propeller, and thus improves propulsion efficiency.

According to a yea long trail of the energy-saving device installed on a 162,000 m3 LNG carrier, HHI found that Hi-FIN can save up to 2.5 % of fuel in comparison with the same type of vessels without Hi-FIN. If the fuel saving ratio is calculated on the basis of an 8,600 TEU containership, the owners or operators of the containership can save about $750,000 per year or $19 million for 25 years, an estimated lifetime of the ship.

5. Onboard DC Grid System

Onboard DC Grid system introduced by ABB helps vessels reduce their fuel consumption, cut noise and trim their environmental impact. The system which allows engines to run at variable speeds for top fuel efficiency at each load level has been identified to reduce specific fuel oil consumption of up to 27 percent, according to the measurements and tests, conducted by Pun Power in collaboration with ABB on Myklebusthaug offshore platform supply vessel Dina Star.

In addition to reducing fuel consumption, the tests also showed 30 percent engine room noise reduction, contributing to improved working conditions aboard the vessel.

6. Nose Job – Modifying Ship’s Bulbous Bow

Modifying ship’s bulbous bow is an efficient way to reduce fuel consumption of ships. Companies like NYK group and Maersk line has used this technique successfully to improve fuel consumption.

NYK group has made bulbous bow energy-saving adjustments to a containership resulting in a verified 23 percent reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions over half a year, whereas Maersk group was able to reduce fuel costs by approximately 8 percent in the current slow-steaming environment. The Clipper group was also able to get significant fuel savings with the same method.