New propulsion sytems for ships

[Guillermo]

"An average towing force of 3 tons (30kN) is generated by the wind (approx. 11 m/s), pulling the 55-meter long research vessel “Beaufort“ equipped with the SkySails propulsion. These figures represent a fuel saving of 1,200 litres a day at speeds between 5 and 12 knots. “Within the framework of 27 test cruises on the North and Baltic Seas, researchers were able to demonstrate, that a SkySail of 80m² can produce a tractive force of seven tons at wind forces up to 6 Bft.”, according to Prof. Dr. Schlaak, scientific manager of the project from the University of Applied Sciences Oldenburg/Ostfriesland/Wilhemshaven (FH OOW)."

More at: http://www.skysails.info/index.php?id=64&L=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=82&tx_ttnews[backPid]=6&cHash=ddd87213e8

[rwatson]

Why Castor Oil may not make it as a bio-fuel (http://www.linnaeus.net/problem_with_castor.htm)

"Problems with Castor Supply
Problems related to the supply of castor oil have hindered its adoption for even more applications and limited its overall popularity.
The Castor plant contains highly toxic and allergenic compounds and is poorly suited for domestic production. In fact Ricin, a byproduct found in castor seed meal, is only slightly less toxic than plutonium - a single molecule can disrupt a human cell. In addition, the allergenic compounds found on the plant surface can cause permanent nerve damage. This makes the harvest of these plants a major human health risk. "

[Guillermo]

Not new at all, but I didn't know them: The Grim Vane Wheels, named after their inventor Dr Ing Otto Grim.

QE2 mounted them, but were short lived. They lost blades on an early trip after being mounted and were removed, never to be replaced.

These wheels spin freely in the wake of the main propellers. The innermost parts of each of the blades pick up speed from the propeller, while the outermost parts act as propellers themselves, adding some forward motion to the ship for "free", capturing energy which would otherwise be wasted.

They are said to reduce fuel oil consumption by 8%:
http://lib.kier.re.kr/caddet/ee/R116.pdf

[tom kane]

I am surprised to see that idea tried on such a large scale.I have tried running a steerabe prop (as a rudder) behind a propeller installed as an inboard.The loss of performance was very obvious.

[charmc]

If the performance is confirmed, it's a great idea. One potential problem, at least for the largest vessels, is the possiblility of a larger diameter GVW's blades projecting below the hull, creating the risk of blade damage from touching bottom.

[brian eiland]

We're talking energy usage here, and not just for boats, so I thought this was appropriate

Just ran across this website. You owe yourself a short visit, and if you explore it more thoroughly you will find some interesting presentations hidden throughout.

Who killed the electric car
http://www.sonyclassics.com/whokille.../electric.html

...click on the "trailer" to watch the short film clip. And don't miss some of the links along the bottom of the screen that show up in white lettering...even the teachers guide

PS: I've long had an interest in this subject, particularly the 'battery/energy storage item"....witness my posting at #163 on super flywheel storage references
http://boatdesign.net/forums/showpos...&postcount=163

[yipster]

Originally Posted by Guillermo

The Grim Vane Wheels

also see http://www.motech.co.jp/english/ and for electric cars; watched the movie but long as everybody drives with headlights on during daylight that cost energy i thought

[Guillermo]

Thanks, Yipster.
Interesting device, also unknown to me.
A quicker link here: http://pbcf.motech.co.jp/index.html


Brian,
any news in super-flywheel energy storage?

Cheers.

[brian eiland]

Originally Posted by Guillermo

Brian, any news in super-flywheel energy storage?
Cheers.

Sorry Guillermo, I've not been following that subject lately. Although it should be getting some new interest with the fuel prices going up so rapidly.

I must confess I've been distracted by my recent marriage to a wonderful Thai lady, and entertaining her during her first time visit to the USA.

[Pericles]

Brian,

Congratulations to you and your wife.

Pericles

[Guillermo]

Congratulations also on my side, Brian.
Cheers!

[brian eiland]

Thanks very much guys. It is my first time. They say better late than never.

I posted a couple of photos in my gallery:
http://www.boatdesign.net/gallery/sh...500&ppuser=399

[Stephen Ditmore]

Mazel tov from NY.

[charmc]

Brian,

Very big and sincere congratulations! Long life, good health, and great love wished for you both.

[brian eiland]

Originally Posted by brian eiland

One of the problems I saw with the flywheel work was an 'over emphasis' on getting the whole technology optimized to its ultimate state prior to putting a product on the market.

Just as with the very early Swiss bus system usage, there are lower-tech practical uses for these devices right now. Lets get started now, then build upon the technology as we learn more. I think these higher fuel prices will promote such thoughts if we don't let ourselves slip back into the old modes of "fuel prices will come back down eventually"

Why not a lower-tech approach with a commuter car for now? Don't worry about an onboard charging source. Utilize a slightly lower tech, safety-limited spinning wheel, rechargable at night at your home, that would get you to work and back. And package it up in smart little 'cute' car like the BMW mini rather than some ugly aero-look. I'll bet you couldn't keep them on the sales lot right now. And you wouldn't be worrying about replacing those very expensive, heavy batteries in the current hybrids.

Someone recently brought this to my attention, an electric BMW Mini
http://www.pmlflightlink.com/archive/news_mini.html

Check out the performance on this hot rod:
PML Flightlink designs specialist electronic motors and its electronic vehicle prototype has already received rave reviews at international motoring trade exhibitions.

The company has successfully converted a Mini into an electric vehicle (EV) with four direct-drive wheels, each with an electronic hub motor of 160 break-horse-power. This combined 640 bhp allows for an acceleration of 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 150 mph (240 kph).
(Note: That quoted acceleration figure is wrong. It is actually is 3.7 seconds. YES I SAID 3.7 SECONDS! That is faster than most super cars! Plus they could do it in reverse!)

"It will out-perform a Porsche backwards," PML spokesman, Chris Newman said.

A small 250cc petrol engine charges the car’s battery while the car is being driven. In this mode it will run for up to 900 miles before needing to re-fuel, while in pure EV mode it will run for 200 miles. Previous electric models barely managed 60 mph (100kph) and had a range of less than 100 miles.

Mr Newman said: "Today’s electronic technology means that the old idea of an electric car is simply blown out of the water. With a performance of 80-100 mile-per-gallon compared with 40mpg with today’s average car it’s cheap to run and with hardly any mechanical parts, it will also be cheaper to maintain. In EV mode there are zero emissions, which means it’s very eco-friendly. It’s a car for the 21st Century."

The company projects that by the year 2012, 25 per cent of cars in production will be EVs or hybrids




Interestingly it appears as though the current route taken by Flightlink and AFS Trinity is a combination of new technolgy batteries and ultra-capacitors.

From the AFS site (a flywheel developer !!):
http://www.afstrinity.com/extr-tech.html
The Extreme Hybrid™ will be the first practical drive train for a Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle. Its two-part energy storage system combines a Lithium-ion battery pack with a bank of ultracapacitors. This “hybrid within a hybrid” energy storage system exploits the strengths of li-ion batteries (light weight and high energy density) and ultracapacitors (small size and high power density). Batteries alone, have high energy density but they must be greatly oversized in today’s hybrid vehicles to avoid deep discharges. Battery-only hybrids also require a powerful internal combustion engine for hill climbing and acceleration. (Plug-in Hybrids compared here.)

Adding ultracapacitors with their high power density and high cycle life allows the Extreme Hybrid™ Plug-in to achieve top speeds and rapid acceleration in electric-only mode equal to a conventional hybrid. The Extreme Hybrid™ design allows for a smaller internal combustion engine while preserving high vehicle performance.