A case study of a new building of a Live Fish Carrier which initially was designed with fixed pitch propellers driven by 2 electric motors, showed that what was expected to be a simple and the most cost effective solution, appeard to be beaten by the efficiency from using a controllable pitch propeller.
A new building of a Live Fish Carrier was initially designed with fixed pitch propellers driven by 2 electric motors. The intention was to use full power when loaded with live salmons back to the fish factory, and only approx. 50% power in ballast transit from fish factory back to the fish farm.
The first thought was that this must be a very simple and cost-effective solution. But when choosing the design pitch (close to optimal for full power) we realized the same fixed pitch propeller was not able to utilize more than half the power from the motors at 50%, in ballast transit.
By using a controllable pitch propeller we could utilize the power from the electrical motors in the entire power range almost from zero to 100% by adjusting the pitch, and the benefit of this in ballast transit mode was so magnificent to the ship owner that they decided to change from FPP to CPP.
The design focus was a simplistic installation with FPP and no gearbox where the electric motors should be in tandem directly connected to the propeller shaft. However, a thrust-box aft of the electric motors would anyway have had to be installed in the shaftline. With Brunvoll’s very compact combination of thrust-box and oil distribution box for the propeller pitch, it still became very compact and in addition a flexible CP-propulsion system with much better energy efficiency for the ship owner.
The Direct On-Line (DOL) starter consists of a contactor and a protection device such as a circuit breaker. The contactor is energized when the start button is pressed, and the full line voltage is connected to the motor. Motor is started with propeller in zero pitch position (IZP).
The star-delta starter method applies reduced voltage to the motor, thus reducing current, during startup. This method requires that both ends of motor winding terminals are available. When connected in star each winding has less voltage (1 / √3 ~ 60%), and thus will have reduced starting current and torque. When full speed is reached the motor is connected in delta, having full torque available. Propeller pitch can be increased, and load applied when motor is connected in delta. Motor is started with propeller in zero pitch position (IZP).
Auto-Transformer also applies reduced voltage in steps to the motor during startup. The transformer voltage ratio can be designed to the application, typically having a 50-70% motor voltage during startup. The motor consumes less current at a lower starting voltage. For example, with a 50% tap on the Auto-Transformer, the motor draws half its rated current, or about 25% of what it would draw with a DOL starter. Motor is started with propeller in zero pitch position (IZP).
An electronic soft starter is a starting device that controls the way electricity is provided to the motor by using active switching devices such as thyristors. The device works in both in-line and in-delta configuration modes in three-phase motors.
This starting method is ramping up the motor voltage in the starting sequence resulting in a reduced start-up current, allowing for a smooth and surge-free increase in motor torque. The voltage dips, stress, and wear and tear on the mechanical parts are all reduced as a result. Due to the thyristors there will be harmonic distortion of the current, and the influence on system voltage will depend on starting current and system impedance. Motor is started with propeller in zero pitch position (IZP).
This is an electronic-controlled approach for starting asynchronous motors smoothly. It controls the frequency and current for the motor with electronics inverter circuits, avoiding large startup current. The thruster system's mechanical parts will be protected from high load because of the smooth start-up, and the this will also reduce the load on generators during startup compared to line-starter options. Depending on required performance torque and current may be below nominal values during startup. This is the high-end solution for the starting the thrusters, giving benefits such as smooth start, better energy economy, reduced wear and tear and process optimization. Other benefits include motor speed stability during load changes and a longer motor life overall. Motor is started with propeller in zero pitch position (IZP).
Frequency converter starters may have different interface towards the main switchboard where 6-pulse rectifier is the most common, but both 12/24 pulse and Active Frontend (AFE) are used.6-pulse starters are the most common type, widely used due to the compact design and availability.The disadvantage with the 6-pulse starter is the increased THD during startup, particularly in smaller power system with large thrusters this might be an issue.
To mitigate the THD a 12 or 24 pulse transformer and rectifier may be chosen, typically used for larger thrusters in larger ships.
Frequency converter starters with active front end guarantees sinusoidal current and does not require a transformer. The AFE rectifier and LCL filter is more spacious than the 6-pulse rectifier and is suitable for high end solutions and ships with relatively small power system compared to thruster power.
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