New propulsion sytems for ships

[brian eiland]

I gave this subject its own new subject thread as it just might be that exciting to justify it:

Bloom Box energy cell

Bloom Box...Revolutionary New Fuel Cell Technology

[Guillermo]

Mmmmm, let's wait to know any real eficiency data.
Cheers.

[The copper guy]

Originally Posted by cyclops

They will always find the cheapest setup and use it. Forget changing them. They are registered in countries that care less than nothing.

WE ALL WONT THE CHEAPEST and they will jump at anything cheaper than oil,
already they are running on reduced revs to save on expensive fuel.
If we the end users can provide an alternative transport method? there is no doubt the shipping companies will jump at the opportunity.

[Guillermo]

Here the revealed solid oxide fuel cell:
http://www.bloomenergy.com/

The web site is a nice marketing hype, but they talk about savings without providing numbers to corroborate...mmmm...

[FAST FRED]

"already they are running on reduced revs to save on expensive fuel."

Actually for most it is a big process to "run on reduced revs" as the hull and drive setup are designed as a package.

It is about 1/2 million US to change the bulbous bow to one that is efficient at the slower speed .

Then of course there are prop and propulsion engine modifications to pay for.

No free lunch just with the throttle.

FF

[Guillermo]

Not always are things like that, implying substantial modifications, Fred. In fact they are just slowing down:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010...half-speed.php

http://www.fao.org/docrep/x0487e/x0487e03.htm

http://www.futurefuelsme.com/news/2008/news_08_074.html

etc, etc.


Cheers

[masrapido]

These cells may be efficient, but are still too big. Look at the dimensions. For a decent power you would need a container ship just to store the cells.

They would need to be miniaturised significantly to reach diesel's power-to-volume ratio.

[powerabout]

Last year Maersk altered their timetables to reflect the new slow speeds.