Alternative fuel selection and operational performance assessment for a 7000 DWT general cargo vessel

Impact assessment of methanol as alternative fuel on the operational performance of the LABRAX sersies vessels

Master thesis (2022)

Authors

S.F.K. Zuidgeest Mechanical Engineering

Contributors

P. de Vos Ship Design, Production and Operations - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (supervisor 1)
E.L. Scheffers Ship Design, Production and Operations - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (supervisor 2)
A.A. Kana Ship Design, Production and Operations - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (supervisor 2)
E. Mocking (supervisor 1)
W. Korterink (supervisor 2)
P.T. Meinderts (supervisor 2)
Faculty
Mechanical Engineering
Copyright: © 2022 Sven Zuidgeest
Fuel cell Emissions Alternative fuels Methanol GHG Internal combustion engine Performance indicators Fuel storage Power plant systems General cargo vessel
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Published Date

24-10-2022

Language

English

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Faculty

Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

The current global fleet is still dependent on conventional fuels as energy source to transport goods to various places in the world. These conventional fuels, such as MGO or HFO, emit large amounts of greenhouse gasses and other pollutant emissions. Regulation concerning these emissions becomes stricter every day, therefore institutions and governments have established reduction targets. To accomplish these reductions, net zero alternative fuels are serious candidates to investigate. As a result of these developments, Thecla Bodewes Shipyards is interested in solutions to reduce these emissions for their general cargo vessel series.

Therefore, the objective of this research is to select the most suitable alternative fuel power- and energy system for a 7000 DWT general cargo vessel. In order to accomplish this objective, a literature review concerning potential alternative fuels is performed. After the selection of methanol as alternative fuel, the object of study is defined with specific boundaries and assumptions of the model. For the comparison of the current power- and energy system with future power- and energy systems, performance indicators are established and calculated. Subsequently, a case study is performed in which three concept designs for storage of methanol and two power plant configurations are proposed based on suitable
energy converters on methanol and electrical load balance of the vessel. This research concludes that the fuel consumption of the vessel increased by a factor 2.1-2.4, range decreased by respectively 35% and 45% and payload decreased by 70 tonnes. Concerning the application of a methanol power- and energy system on board of a 7000 DWT general cargo vessel, a SI-ICE power plant with methanol as main fuel seemed most feasible.