METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING SHIP PERFORMANCE

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the overall performance of a ship. The ship's speed, fuel consumption, torque in the ship's shaft and number of shaft's revolutions are determined and from these data the ship's specific fuel consumption and the ship's hull performance and the overall performance of the ship are determined. The data thus obtained are displayed at the ship's engine control room and the ship's wheelhouse.

Description: The invention relates to a method and system for monitoring the performance of a ship. Most ship operators will reluctantly admit that despite the strenuous effort of all concerned, the performance of their vessels after a few years of service is significantly below par in terms of grammes per shaft Horse Power hour and also nautical miles per tonne. Such units are common in the marchant navy and will be explained in the following. There are many known factors beyond the control of the ship's staff that may account for a fall-off in the ship's performance, including hull fouling and propeller roughness. Therefore it may be assumed that there is little those on board can do to contribute significantly to bunker conservation. With respect to fuel consumption and fuel savings accurate propulsion plant tuning and hull tuning (i.e. optimization of the trim and ballast of the ship) are important activities. The objective of a tuning exercise is to optimize systematically a number of variables each of which will, in its own way, contribute to a sizeable overall reduction in efficiency if not correctly adjusted. To date it has been difficult for ship's staff to measure the effects of such tuning of the ship on short term and there is a need for a system with a fast response showing constantly the ship's overall performance, the propulsion plant performance and ship's hydrodynamic or hull performance so that those on board can react in a fast manner to a change in performance of the ship by taking appropriate measures. The overall performance of a ship can be defined as the distance travelled through the water in nautical miles per tonne of fuel consumed (nmile/t). A nautical mile (nmile) is 1853 metres, whereas a tonne (t) is a metric tonne (= 1000 kg). The propulsion plant performance can be expressed in terms of the grammes of fuel used per shaft Horse Power hour developed (g/SHPh), i.e. the specific fuel consumption of the plant. SHPh is a unit common in the merchant navy. Nowadays the power of an engine is still given in SHPh (1 HP.h = 2647 MJ). The hull performance can be expressed in terms of metres travelled through the water per shaft Horse Power hour provided (m/SHPh). It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an on-line method and a system for monitoring the overall performance of a ship, hull performance and efficiency of the engine, and thus any change in efficiency brought about by efforts of the ship's staff to conserve fuel. An on-line system for enabling an operator to maximize the overall performance of a ship under prevailing conditions, comprising means (4) for determining a first quantity representative for the ship's speed; means (2) for determining a second quantity representative for the ship's fuel consumption; means (3a) for determining a third quantity representative for the torque in the ship's shaft; meaner (3b) for determining a fourth quantity representative for the number of shaft's revolutions, characterized by means for transmitting said quantities to a means for deriving from the values of the said quantities data representing the ship's specific fuel consumption expressing the propulsion plant performance, the ship's hydrodynamic or hull performance and the overall performance of the ship; and means for transmitting said values and data to means for constantly displaying the values and data, thus obtained; and providing an instantaneous response to performance change; thereby enabling said operator to detect said changes in performance and to optimize both the engine variables of the ship's propulsion plant and the hull variables such as trim and ballast, and wherein the specific fuel consumption is calculated by the equation: SFC = F/ P x 1000 , wherein: SFC is the specific fuel consumption, F is the fuel consumption in kg/hour and P is the shaft horsepower in HP; the hull performance is calculated by the equation: H = S x 1853/P , wherein H is the hull performance; S is the speed in knots; P is the shaft horsepower in HP; and 1853 is the conversion factor from nautical miles to metres; and the overall performance is calculated by the equation: O = S/F x 1000 , wherein O is the overall performance; S is the speed in knots; and F is the fuel consumption in kg/hour. It will be appreciated that the quantities to be determined and the values and data to be displayed can be expressed in any common units suitable for the purpose, in proportion to the ship owner's wishes. Usually in the merchant navy the ship's speed is expressed in knots (Kn) (1 Kn = one nautical mile per hour); the ship's fuel consumption in kg/hour; the shaft torque in (metric) tonne metre (tm); the number of shaft's revolutions or shaft speed in revolutions per minute (rev/min or rotations per minute (rpm); and as already indicated in the foregoing the ship's specific fuel consumption in grammes per SHPh (g/SHPh); the ship's hull performance in metres per SHPh (m/SHPh) and the ship's overall performance in nautical mile per (metric) tonne fuel (nmile/t). An on-line method for enabling an operator to maximize the overall performance of a ship under prevailing conditions, comprising the steps of determining a first quantity representative for the ship's speed; determining a second quantity representative for the ship's fuel consumption; determining a third quantity representative for the torque in the ship's shaft; determining a fourth quantity representative for the number of shaft's revolutions; characterized by the steps of deriving in a processing means (1) from the values of the said quantities data representing the ship's specific fuel consumption expressing the propulsion plant performance, the ship's hydrodynamic or hull performance and the overall performance of the ship; displaying constantly the values and data thus obtained and providing an instantaneous response to performance change thereby enabling an operator to detect said changes in performance and to optimize both the engine variables of the ship's propulsion plant and the hull variables such as trim and ballast, and wherein the specific fuel consumption is calculated by the equation: SFC = F/ P x 1000 , wherein: SFC is the specific fuel consumption, F is the fuel consumption in kg/hour and P is the shaft horsepower in HP; the hull performance is calculated by the equation: H = S x 1853/P , wherein H is the hull performance; S is the speed in knots; P is the shaft horsepower in HP; and 1853 is the conversion factor from nautical miles to metres; and the overall performance is calculated by the equation: O = S/F x 1000 , wherein O is the overall performance; S is the speed in knots; and F is the fuel consumption in kg/hour. In this manner a response to performance change can almost instantly be given and a significant saving (for example 10%) in ship fuel consumption can be obtained. For example, according to the invention a response to a 0.1% change in performance may be given within 5 seconds of the event. It is remarked that GB-A-2,075,687 discloses a power plant efficiency monitoring system. However, this known system is not able to provide almost instantly a response to performance change to the observer and does not provide hull optimization. The invention will now be described by way of example in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the figure schematically represents the system of the invention. Such a system can be installed on board ship in any way suitable for the purpose. With reference to the figure a processing means 1 is represented schematically. The processing means 1 is connected at its input side through any suitable connecting means to a fuel meter 2, a fuel temperature sensor 2a, a power meter 3 and a ship's speed measuring device 4 and a seawater temperature sensor 5 respectively. The power meter 3 comprises a means 3a for measuring the torque in the ship's shaft and a means 3b for measuring the number of shaft's revolutions (rotations per minute). The processing means 1 is connected at its output side through any suitable connecting means to an engine control room display 6 and a remote wheelhouse display 7 respectively in order to display the parameters of interest. These displays may be digital displays. Further a recorder 8 and a computer 9 may be connected to the processing means 1 in any way suitable for the purpose. The wheelhouse display 7 can also be used to display the seawater temperature, which is measured by the sensor 5. The ship performance data is available at the computer 9. At the output of the recorder 8 one out of ten variables at the time is available. Selection of the variable is done by a suitable means (for example, a thumbwheel selector switch) on the engine control room display. The following variables (parameters) can be displayed: speed; fuel consumption; shaft speed or number of revolutions of the shaft; shaft torque; specific fuel consumption; hull performance; overall performance; shaft horse power; actual fuel density and fuel temperature. The speed (in knots) is obtained from the ship's speed measuring device 4 (for example a speed log); the fuel consumption is calculated by the equation: FC = flow x D x 3600 wherein FC is the fuel consumption in kg/hour, flow is the fuel flow in litres/second obtained from the fuel flow metre 2 and D is the corrected density (in kg/m³); the number of revolutions (shaft speed) is obtained from the revolutions metre 3b and the torque (in tm) from the torque metre 3a; the specific fuel consumption is calculated by the equation: SFC = F/ P x 1000 wherein: SFC is the specific fuel consumption, F is the fuel consumption in kg/hour and P is the shaft horse power in HP; the hull performance is calculated by the equation: H = S x 1853/p wherein H is the hull performance S is the speed in knots P is the shaft horse power in HP and 1853 is the conversion factor from nautical miles to metres; the overal performance is calculated by the equation O = S/F x 1000 wherein O is the overall performance S is the speed in knots F is the fuel consumption in kg/hour; the Shaft horse power is calculated by the equation P = (2 π nN)/(60 C) wherein P is the shaft horse power in HP, n is the rotational speed of the shaft in RPM, N is the torque in the shaft in Nm (or in (metric) tonne metres) and c is the conversion factor from Watts to HP = 735,5 Watt/HP; the actual fuel density is calculated by the equation D¹ = D x ((1-0,0007) x (T-15)) wherein D¹ is the actual density (in Kg/m³) D is the density, at 15 deg C (bunker specification), obtained for example from thumbwheel switches on the engine control room display, and T is the actual fuel temperature (in °C); and the fuel temperature is obtained from the fuel temperature sensor 2a. The operation of the system is as follows. Quantities representative for the ship's fuel consumption, torque and number of shaft's revolutions respectively are determined by the fuel meter 2 and the power meter 3 respectively. These quantities are transmitted to the processing means 1 through the connecting means at its input side and from the values of these quantities data representing the specific fuel consumption of the ship's propulsion plant is calculated. To be able to display the correct plant and overall performance the weight of the fuel must be known. Fuel density must be known as well since weight = volume x actual density and the system is supplied with suitable means for input of the fuel density (not shown). Density correction for differences in fuel temperature is performed by the system. Quantities representative for the shaft power and the travelled distance respectively are determined by the power meter 3 and the speed measuring device 4. These quantities are transmitted to the input of the processing means through the respective connecting means and from the values of these quantities data representing the hydrodynamic or hull performance of the ship are derived. From the data thus obtained the overall performance can be derived. Data of interest can be displayed at the displays 6, 7 and the recorder 8. During normal sailing conditions the engine control room display 6 shows the ship performance variables. The display 7 shows the ship performance variables and the seawater temperature. In the normal operation the indicators of the displays show simultaneously: specific fuel consumption (in g/SHP.h) hull performance (in m/SHP.h) overall performance (in nmile/t). The reading may be updated regularly, for example every 5 seconds. As these performance parameters are only relevant whilst the ship is on route, the information presented on the display units may be, if necessary, switched to present the "in-port" consumption in (metric) tonne/day when the shaft speed falls to zero. Programmes for the computer 9 have been developed to provide several suitable display and recording modes, for example: 1. Sailing mode; wherein the principle parameters obtained and computed by the system are displayed on the screen of the display units and, on request, can be recorded on an integral printer for administration purposes; 2. Tuning mode, wherein the performance parameters are tabulated and updated in a scrolling screen format at a frequency of the operator's choice (for example, between 1 minute and 9 hours); and 3. Graphics mode, wherein any parameter may be selected for graphical presentation on a selectable timebase (for example between 30 minutes and 9 hours). Table A represents a reproduction of the data of interest and their units on a display screen in the sailing mode: Table B represents a reproduction of a display screen in the tuning mode: This constant display of the ship performance variables enables the ship's staff to maximise the performance of the ship under prevailing conditions in that staff is enabled to give an accurate and quick response to change in performance and in this manner are able to make significant fuel savings (for example 10-15%). For example, the ship's propulsion plant can be tuned for optimizing the ship's operation. This could, for example, be done by systematic optimization of the engine variables (such as for example, charge air temperature, fuel viscosity and coolant temperature). Similarly, the hull variables (such as trim and ballast) could be optimized. It is possible to detect very small differences in the efficiency of both the engine and of the hull/propeller even when comparatively large variations occur in the operating conditions which one generally has no control, i.e. changing sea state, ambient air temperature etc. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention data of interest can be stored independent on the selected mode of operation on a suitable medium (for example on cassette tape) and can be studied later. Such "action replay" facility is particularly useful when, for example, it is necessary to provide the "office" with a detailed record of events either on a routine basis or as part of a special trials programme. It will be appreciated that data of interest can be displayed at any remote location suitable for the purpose.

Claims: An on-line system for enabling an operator to maximize the overall performance of a ship under prevailing conditions, comprising means (4) for determining a first quantity representative for the ship's speed; means (2) for determining a second quantity representative for the ship's fuel consumption; means (3a) for determining a third quantity representative for the torque in the ship's shaft; means (3b) for determining a fourth quantity representative for the number of shaft's revolutions, characterized by means for transmitting said quantities to a means for deriving from the values of the said quantities data representing the ship's specific fuel consumption expressing the propulsion plant performance, the ship's hydrodynamic or hull performance and the overall performance of the ship; and means for transmitting said values and data to means for constantly displaying the values and data, thus obtained; and providing an instantaneous response to performance change; thereby enabling said operator to detect said changes in performance and to optimize both the engine variables of the ship's propulsion plant and the hull variables such as trim and ballast, and wherein the specific fuel consumption is calculated by the equation: SFC = F/ P x 1000 , wherein: SFC is the specific fuel consumption, F is the fuel consumption in kg/hour and P is the shaft horsepower in HP; the hull performance is calculated by the equation: H = S x 1853/P , wherein H is the hull performance; S is the speed in knots; P is the shaft horsepower in HP; and 1853 is the conversion factor from nautical miles to metres; and the overall performance is calculated by the equation: O = S/F x 1000 , wherein O is the overall performance; S is the speed in knots; and F is the fuel consumption in kg/hour. The system as claimed in claim 1 characterized by means for storing the said determined quantities and calculated data. The system as claimed in claims 1 or 2 characterized by display means at the ship's wheelhouse. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 characterized by display means at the ship's engine control room. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1-4 characterized by means for tuning the ship's engine variables and/or hull variables for optimizing the ship's operation. An on-line method for enabling an operator to maximize the overall performance of a ship under prevailing conditions, comprising the steps of determining a first quantity representative for the ship's speed; determining a second quantity representative for the ship's fuel consumption; determining a third quantity representative for the torque in the ship's shaft; determining a fourth quantity representative for the number of shaft's revolutions; characterized by the steps of deriving in a processing means (1) from the values of the said quantities data representing the ship's specific fuel consumption expressing the propulsion plant performance, the ship's hydrodynamic or hull performance and the overall performance of the ship; displaying constantly the values and data thus obtained and providing an instantaneous response to preformance change thereby enabling an operator to detect said changes in performance to optimize both the engine variables of the ship's propulsion plant and the hull variables such as trim and ballast, and wherein the specific fuel consumption is calculated by the equation: SFC = F/ P x 1000 , wherein: SFC is the specific fuel consumption, F is the fuel consumption in kg/hour and P is the shaft horsepower in HP; the hull performance is calculated by the equation: H = S x 1853/P , wherein H is the hull performance; S is the speed in knots; P is the shaft horsepower in HP; and 1853 is the conversion factor from nautical miles to metres; and the overall performance is calculated by the equation: O = S/F x 1000 , wherein O is the overall performance; S is the speed in knots; and F is the fuel consumption in kg/hour. The method as claimed in claim 6 characterized by the step of storing the said determined quantities and calculated data. The method as claimed in claims 6 or 7 characterized by the step of tuning the ship's engine variables and/or hull variables for optimizing the ship's operation.

Inventors: EIGENRAAM, PETER, WHIPPS, SYDNEY LEONARD SHELL CENTRE
Applicants: SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ B.V.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: G06F15
IPC codes: B63B49, B63B9, G07C5, G05D1, G06F17