SHIP PROPULSION

Nikolas González
IV Deck Alpha
Maneuvering I
 Ship (Marine) propulsion
• Mechanism used to move a ship across water

• Choice of a suitable powerplant depends on:

• size of the ship
• speed (type of cargo)
• length, duration of voyage
• cost (operational expenses)
• fuel
 Diesel Engine
• In 1892 Rudolph Diesel
invented the compression
ignition engine
• The most widely used
propulsion
• Two-stroke (large engines)
• Four-stroke (auxiliary e.)
 Diesel Engine

• PROS:
• CONS:

• most efficient prime mover

• more expensive to build and
maintain
• lower fuel consumption
• more noise and vibration
• less bunker space
• heavier
 Steam Turbine

• Marine steam turbine was

developed by Sir Charles
Algernon Parsons
• Low noise, low weight, low
maintenance costs, more
space obtained (power
/weight ratio raised)
• BUT higher fuel
consumption
 Steam Turbine

• Most new-build ships

with steam turbines are
specialist vessels such as
nuclear-powered vessels,
and certain merchant
vessels (LNG, coal
carriers) where cargo can
be used as bunker fuel.
 Diesel electric drive
• Large cruiser, tankers,
ferries, ro-ro passenger
ships and LNG carriers
• PRINCIPLE
1. diesel engine connected
to a generator
2. Generators drive electric
motors
3. Electric motors drive the
shaft
 Turbo-electric drive

• PRINCIPLE
• 1.Turbines generate
mechanical energy and drive
generators
• Generators convert
mechanical into electrical
energy and drive motors
• Motors convert back the
electrical into mechanical
energy and drive the propeller
shaft
 Gas turbine

• A compressor draws in and

compresses atmospheric
air.
• A combustion system where
fuel is injected, mixed with
compressed air and burned.
• Power turbine to the shaft.
• Poor thermal efficiency at
low power.
 Nuclear propulsion

• Submarines,
navy ships (air-
craft carriers),
icebreakers.
Propulsive Devices
Paddle-Wheels: While the draft varying with ship displacement,
the immersion of wheels also varies. The wheels may come out
of water when the ship is rolling, causing erratic course-keeping,
& they are likely to damage from rough seas.

Propellers: Its first use was in a steam-driven boat at N.Y. in

1804. Advantages over paddle-wheels are,
1) not substantially affected by normal changes in draft;
2) not easily damaged;
3) decreasing the width of the ship, &
4) good efficiency driven by lighter engine.
Since then, propellers have dominated in use of marine
propulsion.
Paddle Wheels Propulsion (Stern)
Paddle Wheels Propulsion (Midship)
Propeller (5-blade)
Propeller (5-blade) & Rudder
Jet type: Water is drawn by a pump & delivered sternwards as a
jet at a high velocity. The reaction providing the thrust. It’s use
has been restricted to special types of ships.

Sail: or better sail-keel interaction, because without hydrodynamic lift, aerodynamic

lift in sails could never produce ship advance against wind. Sailing upwind requires a
coordination of air forces on the sail with water forces on the keel and rudder, and
tacking.

Other propulsion Devices:

1. Nozzles (Duct) Propellers: main purpose is to increase the thrust at low ship
speed (tug, large oil tanker)
2. Vertical-Axis Propellers: Advantage is to control the direction of thrust.
Therefore, the ship has good maneuverability.
3. Controllable-Pitch Propellers (CCP): The pitch of screw can be changed so that
it will satisfy all working conditions.
4. Tandem and Contra-rotating Propellers: It is used because the diameter of a
propeller is restricted due to limit of the draft or other reasons (torpedo). The
efficiency of the propeller usually decreases.
5. Azimuth thrusters possibly offer large advantages in manoeuvring, but the
understanding of the hydrodynamic phenomena are important in their design
stage to avoid larger thrust degradation and unwanted ship forces.
Jet Propulsion
Nozzle Propellers
Vertical-Axis Propellers
Vertical-Axis Propellers
Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP)
Contra-rotating Propellers
Azimuth Propellers