Air Lubrication Systems OPTIMIZATION
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Computational fluid dynamics
Full- scale vessel resistance and propulsion power predictions
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a powerful computer and software tool that can be used in a wide variety of applications including aviation, automotive design, turbo machinery and maritime applications. In the maritime domain, uses include full- scale vessel resistance and propulsion power predictions. The capability of CFD has progressed in recent years so that often, the results of CFD analyses are more accurate than contemporary model tests in tow tanks.
Shipglide has conducted test cases using CFD to demonstrate the potential for analyzing the resistance reduction effects of the Shipglide ALS.
A test hull similar to that of a cruise ship was simulated to run at 17 knots in calm water. The vessel was free to heave and pitch, identical to a standard calm water resistance test conducted in a towing tank.
The resistance of the bare hull was determined and the hull was modified to have a slot through which air was injected.
The slot and air injection parameters were then modified to maximize the resistance reduction effect while minimizing the required air injection rate.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
This simple CFD study shows that more air does not necessarily result in lower resistance. It is more important that the air be distributed to maximize its effectiveness.
In the ALS Version 2 study, the smaller injection slot with a lower air injection rate provided more than twice the resistance reduction effect of the ALS Version 1 study.
BARE HULL
Total Resistance: 945 kN
ALS VERSION 1
Injection Slot Width: 22 m
Air Injection Rate: 6 kg/s
Total Resistance: 896 kN
Resistance Reduction: 5.2%
ALS VERSION 2
Injection Slot Width: 15 m Air
Injection Rate: 5 kg/s
Total Resistance: 819 kN
Resistance Reduction: 13.4%
Reduce greenhouse emission.
Through detailed CFD analysis, we are able to optimize the ALS system for each hull form, providing for optimum fuel oil savings and greenhouse gas reduction.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
POWER REDUCTION
Decreasing a vessel’s resistance decreases the amount of power required to drive the vessel. This reduces the vessel’s fuel consumption. Reducing fuel consumption reduces the cost to operate the vessel. Therefore, all other factors held equal, a decrease in vessel resistance results in a direct reduction of cost.
THE COST OF AIR INJECTION
Compressors or blowers are required to force air out of a vessel’s hull. The higher the air pressure and the more air being injected, the more power required to drive the system. This power must be accounted for when designing the system. If the compressor requires more power than the air injection is saving, the system isn’t useful.
OPTIMIZING THE NET POWER REDUCTION
The net power is simply the power saved by the ALS system, minus the power required to achieve that saving. In any given condition, there is an optimal point at which the net power requirement is minimized. In other words, more air would cost more than it would save and less air would provide lower savings than the system is capable of.
Summary Of Results
OPTIMIZATION STUDY
The ALS Version 2 hull was used in an optimization study, again utilizing CFD. The same hull model and injection slot parameters were used, with the vessel running at 17 knots as in the previous simulations.
The air injection rate was varied and a required propulsion power curve was developed from the resulting data. The required compressor power was calculated for each injection rate and a corresponding net power curve was created. The propulsion power curve is depicted in orange, while the net power curve is depicted in blue.
STUDY RESULTS
The gross propulsion power is minimized at an air injection rate of approximately 5 kg/s. However, the net power consumption is minimized at a lower rate of approximately 4 kg/s. This is the optimal operating point for the system at a vessel speed of 17 knots.
This study further highlights the importance of optimizing the air lubrication system to provide the maximum environmental and economic benefit, rather than minimizing the vessel’s resistance. The point of minimum resistance may require more power than it’s worth.
INJECTION AIR ENERGY BALANCE
The ultimate contribution of an ALS system to reducing fuel consumption, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing ship efficiency is the reduction in viscous drag of the ship due to the air bubbles less the energy required to inject air out of the ship bottom to generate the air bubbles.
This is known as the Air Lubrication System Energy Balance. The contribution of the air lubricating bubbles to reducing energy consumption attributed to the main ship propulsion is reduced by the increased energy consumption of the auxiliaries which drive the ALS air compressors.
A successful ALS design must realistically consider the parasitic load of generating the source air. Every effort to minimize this parasitic load serves to directly increase the overall impact of the ALS system towards reducing fuel consumption, reducing greenhouse gas emission and increasing ship efficiency.
THE COMPLETE PICTURE
We supply world-class air lubrication solutions to vessels of all types and sizes.
Shipglide conducts CFD for every vessel using our Shipglide ALS systems in-house with our resident staff experts.
Shipglide has the only Boundary Layer Testing Lab on the planet dedicated to designing, optimizing, and verifying air lubrication systems.
Our engineers and project managers have the ability to take a Shipglide ALS from early concept design to completed installation.
Shipglide analyzes ship data to confirm fuel savings achieved through its air lubrication systems.
Intellectual property (IP) regards inventions, literary and artistic works, symbols, names, and images used in commerce.
We have conducted test cases to demonstrate the potential for analyzing the resistance reduction effects of the Shipglide ALS.
THE COMPLETE PICTURE
We supply world-class air lubrication solutions to vessels of all types and sizes.
Shipglide conducts CFD for every vessel using our Shipglide ALS systems in-house with our resident staff experts.
Shipglide has the only Boundary Layer Testing Lab on the planet dedicated to designing, optimizing, and verifying air lubrication systems.
Our engineers and project managers have the ability to take a Shipglide ALS from early concept design to completed installation.
Shipglide analyzes ship data to confirm fuel savings achieved through its air lubrication systems.
Intellectual property (IP) regards inventions, literary and artistic works, symbols, names, and images used in commerce.
We have conducted test cases to demonstrate the potential for analyzing the resistance reduction effects of the Shipglide ALS.
