Page 30: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (January 2012)

30Maritime Reporter & Engineering News ABB Azipod Efficiency Gains 2% One of the original creators of poddedpropulsion solutions for the maritimemarket announced another breakthrough which improves efficiency further. ABB reports that recent modifications to its Azipod propulsion unit frame designhave seen hydrodynamic efficiency im- proved by more than two percent. The modifications include a newly optimized Azipod fin shape and a new pod cap structure, called Xtail. The revised fin structure receives water flow from the propeller at a new, less acute angle, and its new curved design redirects the flow more efficiently. The unit?s new X-tail, installed for the pod cap structure,straightens water flow on ejection from the Azipod propulsor, minimizing water swirling. Royal Caribbean International?s Radi- ance of the Seas was the first cruise ships to benefit from the new fin shape and X- tail. The modifications to Azipod were completed during its drydock visit inMay 2011. Her sailings from May toSeptember witnessed the benefits when compared to a sister vessel and her pre- vious operational portfolio: more than 2percent in hydrodynamic efficiency im- provement was achieved. Based on the positive result from the test, ABB will now include its new fea- tures in new Azipod XO units and pro- vide refitted services to existing vessels equipped with older Azipod VO and XO units.At the beginning of 2011 ABB together with Eniram introduced Azipod Dynamic Optimizer (ADO), a software tool which optimizes the Azipod toe angle. The tool has helped to improve unit efficiency and initial results from the trial installation onHolland America Line?s Noordam indi- cate that 1.5 percent savings may be achievable on this vessel. When the Azipod propulsion system was first introduced to the cruise market in 1990s, around an eight percent rise inefficiency was recorded compared to ex- isting ships, in terms of shaft line effi- ciency, according to the manufacturer. After that, step by step improvements were made to the Azipod shape, resulting in about another seven percent efficiency improvement. Two years ago, when ?next generation? Azipod - Azipod XO units were launched, another two percent im- provement was achieved. Thus combin- ing this to the recent improvements, Azipod hydrodynamic efficiency has to- tally been improved by more than 12 per- cent compared to the first cruise vessel application.To date, over 100 vessels have been equipped with Azipod propulsion units and more than 240 Azipod units have been delivered or are on order. www.abb.com MARINE PROPULSON UPDATES TECHNICALAzipod with X-tail and optimized fin.Caterpillar Launches Cat C175-16 MarinePropulsion Engine Caterpillar introduced the Cat C175-16, the latest in a line of high perform- ance engines designed to meet IMOTier II emissions requirements. The C175-16 is rated at 2001 ? 2168 bkW@ 1600 rpm and 2239 bkW - 2550bkW @ 1800 rpm. The new propulsion engine extends Caterpillar Marine?s high-speed engine power range beyond the 3516C-HD engine.The C175-16 uses ACERT Technol- ogy. Cat ACERT engines feature opti- mized turbocharging and aftercooling to provide reliable maximum power output. Efficient combustion reduces engine wear and maximizes fuel, driv- ing the C175-16 to pull the maximumamount of energy from each injection event. With a bore of 175 mm (6.9 in) and a stroke of 220 mm (8.66 in), the C175- 16 features include: Turbocharged and aftercooled aspirationMCS approved monitoring, alarm, and protection systemCross-flow head design Simplified electrical system www.marine.cat.com MR Jan.12 # 4 (26-33):MR Template 1/9/2012 4:16 PM Page 30