Computational investigation of a large containership propulsion engine operation at slow steaming conditions

Cong Guan, Gerasimos Theotokatos, Peilin Zhou, Hui Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

73 Citations (Scopus)
426 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

In this article, the operation of a large containership main engine was investigated with emphasis at slow steaming conditions. A cycle mean value approach implemented in the MATLAB/Simulink environment was adopted to simulate the two-stroke marine diesel engine due to the fact that it combines simplicity with adequate prediction accuracy. For accurately representing the compressor performance when the engine operates at low loads, the extension of the compressor map at the low rotational speed region was carried out based on a non-dimensional parameters method incorporating a novel way of calculating the compressor isentropic efficiency. The compressor map extension method results were validated using a corrected similarity laws approach. The engine steady state operation for various loads was simulated and the predicted engine performance parameters were validated using shop trial measurements. Furthermore, the engine transient operation in the load region below 50% was studied and the simulation results including the compressor operating points trajectory are presented and discussed. Based on the obtained results, the influence of the activation/deactivation of the installed electric driven blowers and the turbocharger cut-out on the engine operation was analysed.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)370-383
Number of pages14
JournalApplied Energy
Volume130
Early online date18 Jun 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2014

Keywords

  • cycle mean value engine modelling
  • large containership propulsion engine
  • slow steaming
  • compressor performance map extension
  • electric driven blower operation
  • turbocharger cut-out

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