Feature 4 | NORWAY
Kongsberg develops “Green” engine room simulator
Shipping is taking steps to be more efficient and environmental in its operation, but with this has come new technologies that crew will need to learn to use. Kongsberg has met this challenge through the development of its latest simulator for a green engine-room.
D
rawing down on previous experience, Kongsberg has developed a simulator, the Kongsberg Green Ship
Engine Room Simulator (ERS), that is aimed at training cadets and crew who need to develop skills in engine room operation. Te simulator is not just for the operation of the engine, but incorporates the entire technical plant, giving a training experience for a whole scenario. Te simulator has been based on a Wärsilä
12RT-flex 82C low-speed common-rail engine, built for a panamax container ship of 4800TEU with a reefer capacity of 800FEU. Te scenario for the simulated ship model is based on a modern green ship, one that is financed and operated by a ship owner that is keen to keep an environmentally sounds vessel that is fuel efficient and has low emissions. Te simulated vessel has an operating speed
of 26knots with the propulsion machinery adapted for all ambient temperature conditions, ranging from arctic (-40ºC) to tropical (45ºC), allowing new trading routes. Kongsberg says that the new ERS model is able to offer a realistic training for the above conditions. The simulator also includes a sankey diagram, a flow diagram to show the proportion of flow of energy, making it easier for training crew to visualise the energy efficiency of the engine room plant. “We have a huge library of technical parts
that we have used in the development of the simulator. The simulator is based on technology that we have used before and has also been developed with Wärtsilä and its RT-flex engine that we have used for this simulator,” said Leif Pentti Halvorsen, product manager - engine room simulators in Kongsberg Maritime, simulation & training department, Kongsberg Maritime. “Although many Kongsberg Maritime
ERS models offer green ship functionality, the RT-flex model features the most comprehensive fuel efficiency and emission reduction that we have developed so far,”
62 The sankey diagram that will enable crew to see the energy efficiency of the vessel.
explains Mr Halvorsen. “Our increased focus on green ship simulation comes from the higher interest from environmentally conscious owners, who will be using more efficient engines like the Wärtsilä 12RT-flex in the future,” he added. Instead of the usual mechanically-
controlled fuel injection pumps and exhaust valve drives of Wärtsilä RTA engines, the RT-flex82C has an electrically-controlled common-rail system, meaning that the engine room operation differs from that of other vessels, so there is a requirement for specialist training on this system. The latest ERS model simulates the
Wärtsilä engine control room system (WECS) which triggers the elctro-hydraulic rail valves for the respective functions, in addition to simulating other technical aspects including, waste heat and thermal oil tank heating systems. Te model also
simulates a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) exhaust converter, cutting NOx emissions by about 90%. Training for crew that need to update
their skills for this type of engine room operation can take between three days to a week, if they are looking for an intensive course. Whereas, students will have access throughout their term time to the simulator. Mr Halvorsen highlights: “Te training that crew and students will get, means they gain more knowledge through the simulator, more than real life experience, as it will be able to simulate different scenarios in a safe environment first.” To date Kongsberg Maritime has sold to
STC Rotterdam and Bodin Videregående Skole og Maritime Fagskole in Norway. Kongsberg is expecting to see sales grow as the demand for trained crew for green vessels increases. NA
The Naval Architect January 2011
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