HITACHI ZOSEN DEVELOPS EPOCHAL DIESEL SHIP MACHINERY SYSTEM

Brief information is given on a ship-machinery system recently developed by Hitachi Zosen and stated to reduce fuel consumption by 30%. The system consists of three sub-systems, which can also be used independently. One sub-system is a geared twin-bank Diesel propulsion engine, which the company has developed in association with Burmeister & Wain. The two cylinder banks are upright (i.e., not in V form); the engine uses the same components as conventional low-speed two-stroke crosshead engines and can burn low-grade fuels. In comparison with a conventional 13,000-bhp, 145-rpm engine, propeller speed is about 50% lower and power and fuel consumption requirements are reduced by about 20%; overall engine dimensions are less (height is reduced by about 40%) and weight is about 30% lower. The engine configuration is shown in outline sketches. The second sub-system is a low-pressure (2.5 kg/sq cm gauge) steam turbogenerator which utilises, more effectively than hitherto, waste heat from the main-engine exhaust, together with heat recovered from the cooling water and supercharger air. This makes it possible for small and medium- size ships to use exhaust-gas heat for operating steam turbogenerators and allows (in a 13.000-bhp ship) a fuel saving of about 6.5%. The third sub- system, introduced in Japan in June 1976 in association with John Hastie & Co. Ltd. is a single-loop steering gear which is electrically controlled via a torque motor instead of by an oil-hydraulic power-unit. Rudder overshooting is almost eliminated, leading to a reduction of about 5% in fuel consumption.

• Corporate Authors:

  Tokyo News Service Limited

  10 Ginza Nishi, 8-chome, Chuo-ku
  Tokyo,   Japan 
• Publication Date: 1976-10

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 44
• Serial:
  • Zosen
  • Volume: 21
  • Publisher: Tokyo News Service Limited

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Diesel engines; Engine performance; Fuel conservation; Fuel consumption; Generators; Propulsion; Steering gears; Turbines; Vehicle power plants; Waste heat utilization
• Old TRIS Terms: Diesel propulsion; Propulsion machinery; Propulsion plant performance; Turbine generators; Waste heat boilers
• Subject Areas: Energy; Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00153040
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Ship Research Association
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 11 1977 12:00AM