MARINE PROPULSION SYSTEMS
M1 controller fully wired in the cabinet
Hybrid LNG ship propulsion – First in the world SEMBCORP MARINE IN SINGAPORE IS CURRENTLY BUILDING THE WORLD’S FIRST HYBRID LNG-POWERED TUG FLEET. IT WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING diesel-powered one in the coming years. The Hybrid Control System (HCS) is provided by Invertek Drives Far East. For this purpose, the company relies on the M1 system components from Bachmann electronic.
ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF SEMBCORP/INVERTEK DRIVES.
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he drive control of tugs is demanding, because this type of ship requires very variable power ranges, high manoeuvrability, and immense force: The new harbour tugs have 65 tons of bollard pull to handle the huge ships and tankers in Singapore. With the new ships, Sembcorp wants to contribute to decarbonization, and, above all, to reduce the air pollution. In the tugs, two 16-cylinder engines powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) are supported by electric motors. “Depending on the desired operating mode and required performance profile, the electric engine can be used for propulsion (Power Take-In, PTI) or as a generator (Power Take-Off, PTO),” says Henry Beh, Managing Director of Invertek Drives Far East Pte.
The two gas engines deliver an overall output of almost 3,000kW. They do not emit any sulphur oxides and only very small amounts of nitrogen oxides. Therefore, the exhaust gas aftertreatment can be dispensed with. In contrast to the dieselpowered counterparts, the particle number is negligible.
Efficient use of resources
The hybrid system has five drive modes: In the ‘Harbour’ operating mode, propulsion is purely electric and emission-free, as the gas engine is switched off. In ‘Transit’ mode, without towing or pulling vessels, the tug is powered by the gas engines. Generated excess power is stored in the battery. When pulling ships to or from the port, the tug is
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13-10-2021 09:37
