Design and engineering consultancy Houlder has presented its latest breakthrough as part of the SPINE maritime projectThe project, revealing the design of a methanol bunkering vessel with a capacity of 10,000 m3 of methanol.3. This project aims to integrating ships, remote control centers, port operating systems and national energy infrastructuresThe company’s activities are aimed at meeting the challenges of decarbonization and maritime autonomy.
The project is supported by MarRI-UK and brings together a consortium of organizations led by MSE International focusing on energy and autonomy in the maritime industry. maritime industry .
This Houlder design includes semi-automatic crane systems to supply methanol to ships of different sizes, from cruise ships to large container ships. container ships .
Challenges of the new methanol supply vessel
In the ship design process, Houlder has overcome complex spatial constraints to optimize efficiency and regulatory compliance. The use of methanol for both cargo and fuel presented unique challenges due to its lower density compared to conventional fuels and the different regulatory requirements for its storage and handling.
The design team explored the space within the hull to balance these requirements, achieving a design comparable in size to existing small tankers, but meeting strict safety standards.
To improve operating efficiency, an electric powertrain architecture was incorporated, which will allow future upgrades with fuel cell technology, reducing noise and improving environmental performance. Houlder used digital twin technology digital twins to create a virtual environment to analyze adjustments to existing operations, design new vessels and find ways to save fuel and reduce GHG emissions.
Other considerations
Innovative computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was also implemented to consider configurations such as twin propellers and bulbous bow designs. In addition, the impact of a minimum ballast philosophy was evaluated, considering propeller size and propulsive power requirements. These tools allowed Houlder to optimize the relationship between propeller size and number and fuel efficiency for different operating profiles.
Participating in the SPINE project has allowed Houlder to expand its influence in research and development activities related to alternative fuels. The completion of this design reaffirms our experience in the use of methanol as fuel and cargo, complying with the strict regulations in force.
Arun Pillai, Houlder project manager
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Source and photo: offshore-energy.biz
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