Image Credit: www.maersk.com
The Triple E Ships can be more energy efficient and more environment friendly. Triple-E (EEE) stands for Energy efficient, Economy of scale and Environmentally improved vessel:
Energy Efficiency:
Triple-E ships are designed and optimised for lower speeds. The unique hull design, energy-efficient engine and system that uses exhaust gas to produce extra energy to help propel the ship, make the Triple-E unmatched in energy efficiency.
Economy of Scale:
The Triple-E ships break the world record in container ship capacity without requiring more engine power. This design takes economy of scale to a new level.
Environmentally Improved:
The Triple- E ships, with their unique design features for slower speeds and maximum efficiency, emit 50% less CO2 per container moved. (as claimed by Mearsk Line Triple-E project).
Grams of emitted CO2 transporting 1 ton of cargo 1 km:
Triple-E Container Ship: 3g
Conventional railway: 18g
Truck or Lorry on road: 47g
Aeroplane or by air: 560g
Source: www.maersk.com
The Triple E Container Ships:
The vessels will be the most energy efficient. They will have the lowest carbon dioxide (CO2) footprint by emitting 50% less CO2 per container moved when compared to the most efficient container vessel available currently. Optimised design will allow the vessel to cruise with the maximum possible load at speeds prevailing in the industry.
The waste heat recovery system will capture the exhaust gas from the engine and use it to run the turbine to produce mechanical energy, which in turn, will be used to run a generator. It will trim down fuel consumption and CO2 emission by about 9%.
Source: www.maersk.com
Propulsion System:
The Triple-E class vessel will have a twin skeg propulsion system, with two slow running ultra-long stroke engines. Each engine will drive a separate propeller. Each engine will produce 43,000hp and weigh 910t with a specific fuel oil consumption (SFOC) will 168g/kWh. Each of the two propellers will be of 9.8m diameter and have four blades. The smaller the number of blades, the less the resistance will be, while the larger diameter propellers will produce more pushing power. The two engines and two propellers combination will generate further savings of 4% energy when compared to a combination of one engine and one propeller.
Moreover, the triple-E ship’s will be fitted with two Shaft Generator Motors with a rated capacity of 3MW each. The motors will act as variable power generation units which will save more energy.
References:
1. www.maersk.com
2. www.ship-technology.com