Types of Marine Propulsion 1. Diesel Propulsion Diesel propulsion system is the most commonly used marine propulsion system converting mechanical energy from thermal forces. Diesel propulsion systems are mainly used in almost all types of vessels along with small boats and recreational vessels. Feeds To the
Diesel
Creates
Engine
Mechanical Energy
That Turns the
Propeller
2. Wind Propulsion Wind propulsion emerged as an alternative to those systems which emit huge quantities of CO2 gases in the marine atmosphere. This type of propulsion system uses wind catching device to propel. Two wind propulsion systems for ships that have become lately are- kite propulsion and sail propulsion for merchant ships. Pushes the
Wind
That moves the
Wind catching devices
Vessel
3. Nuclear Propulsion Naval vessels incorporate the usage of nuclear maritime propulsion. Using the nuclear fission process, nuclear propulsion is a highly complex system consisting of water reactors and other equipment to fuel the vessel. The nuclear reactors in the ships are also used to generate electricity for the ship. Several merchant ships are also being planned to be constructed with this propulsion system. Creates
Nuclear Reactor
Creates
Turbine
Radiation
Heats the
Mechanical Energy
Creates
Boiler
Connected To the
Generator
Steam
creates
Feeds To the
Electricity
Feeds To the
Turns
Motor
Propeller
The
4. Gas Turbine Propulsion Air
compressed by
Generator
compressor
Creates
Feeds To the
Electricity
Turbine
Creates
Feeds To the
Mechanical Energy Creates
Motor
Turns the
Connected To the
Propeller
Gas turbine propulsion is used for naval as well as non-naval ships. In case of naval ships, the gas turbine propulsion system aids in faster movement of the ships which is necessary in case of the ship coming under attack. This type of propulsion system uses a compressor that feeds pressurized air to the turbine. The turbine
is then connected to a generator that converts mechanical energy to electricity. The electricity is then feed to the motor that turns the propeller. 5. Fuel Cell Propulsion Fuel cell propulsion systems use hydrogen as the main fuel component. Electricity is created in the fuel cell without any combustion whatsoever. The process is clean and therefore has been regarded as a very important alternative marine propulsion system. There are various types of propulsion under the fuel cell propulsion head like PEM (Photon-Exchange-Membrane) and the molten-carbonate systems. Hydrogen
Through
Is converted into
Electrochemical reaction
Electricity
Feeds To the
Turns The
Motor
Propeller
6. Biodiesel Fuel Propulsion Biodiesel propulsion has been deemed as a potential marine propulsion system for the future. Currently tests are being carried out to find out about the vi ability of this propulsion system which is expected to be in full operation by the year 2017. This type of propulsion system uses renewable fuel instead of diesel thus making it environment friendly. Biodiesel
Feeds To the
Engine
Creates
Mechanical Energy
That Turns the
Propeller
7. Solar Propulsion Solar propulsion for ships was utilised for the first time in the year 2008. Solar propulsion benefits include a high reduction in the poisonous carbon dioxide emissions. Solar propulsions are capable of generating a capacitance as high as 40 kilowatts (kW).
Solar Energy
Is converted into
Feeds To the
Electricity
Turns The
Motor
Propeller
8. Steam Turbine Propulsion Steam turbine propulsion involves the usage of coal or other steam-generating fuels to propel the vessel. Steam turbine maritime propulsion system was highly utilised between the late 19th and the early 20th century. Coal
Turbine
Creates
Creates
Motor
Fire
Heats the
Mechanical Energy
Turns The
Boiler
Connected To the
Propeller
Creates
Generator
Steam
creates
Feeds To the
Electricity
Feeds To the
9. Diesel-Electric Propulsion In simple terms, diesel-electric ship propulsion systems use a combination of a generator operated by electricity attached to a diesel motor. The technology has been in use since the early 1900s. In today’s times, submarines and merchant ships incorporate the diesel-electric propulsion system to propel themselves. Diesel
Feed To the
Electricity
Diesel Engine
Feeds To the
Creates
Mechanical Energy Turns
Motor
To the
That Turns the
Rotor
Connected To the
creates
Generator
Propeller
10. Water-Jet Propulsion Water-jet propulsion has been used since the year 1954. The most important advantage of water-jet propulsion is that it does not cause noise pollution and offers a high speed to the vessels. In contrast the water-jet propulsion as a ship propulsion system is costlier to maintain which can cause problems to the user. This type of propulsion system usually uses impeller for a more effective suction. 11. Gas fuel or Tri Fuel Propulsion LNG fuel is now utilised to be burnt in the Main Engine after adopting some modification in the propulsion engine to reduce emission from the ship. It i s known as tri fuel because it can burn gas fuel, diesel and heavy fuel. Gas/Diesel/Heavy fuel
Feeds To the
Engine
Creates
Mechanical Energy
That Turns the
Propeller
Planned Maintenance System The PMS - Planned Maintenance System is a paper/software-based paper/software-based system which allows ship owners or operators to carry out maintenance in intervals according to manufacturers and class/Classification class/ Classification society requirements. The maintenance, primarily supervised by the on board personnel, is then credited towards inspections required by periodic surveys. The planning and scheduling of the maintenance, as well as its documentation, must be made according to a system that is approved by classification societies
Diesel engine
also known as a compression-ignition or CI engine
is an internal combustion engine in which ignition of the fuel which is injected into the combustion chamber is caused by the elevated temperature of the air in the cylinder due to mechanical compression (adiabatic compression).
Diesel engines work by compressing only the air. This increases the air temperature inside the cylinder to cylinder to such a high degree that atomised diesel fuel that is injected into the combustion chamber ignites spontaneously. This contrasts with spark-ignition engines such as a petrol engine ( engine (gasoline gasoline engine) engine) or gas engine (using engine (using a gaseous fuel as opposed to petrol), petrol), which use a spark plug to plug to ignite an air-fuel mixture.
In diesel engines, glow plugs (combustion chamber pre-warmers) may be used to aid starting in cold weather, or when the engine uses a lower compression-ratio, or both. The original diesel engine operates on the "constant pressure" cycle of gradual combustion and produces no audible knock.