Session: 06-04-02 Marine Engineering and Technology - II

Submission Number: 180434

Degradation of Engine Performance in Actual Seas: a Study on the Dynamic Response of the Air Supply System Based on Bulk Carrier Service Data 

It is well-established that the performance of a marine propulsion engine, particularly in terms of fuel consumption, degrades in actual sea conditions. Previous analyses of the extensive service data from the 28,000 DWT bulk carrier focused primarily on the vessel's hydrodynamic performance and speed loss. This paper continues the investigation by revisiting this rich dataset to analyze the dynamic response of the main propulsion engine itself. Our central hypothesis, supported by preliminary experiments on a test bed engine, is that a transient lack of air for combustion is the dominant factor in performance degradation. This deficit is a direct consequence of the air supply system's dynamics, where the turbocharger compressor response lags behind the rapid changes in fuel oil supply demanded by fluctuating propeller loads in rough waves. By re-examining key operational parameters—including fuel consumption, engine power, shaft speed, and turbocharger speed — this study seeks to identify patterns and correlations that validate the air-lag hypothesis under real-world operating conditions. The findings aim to provide a deeper understanding of the engine-propeller interaction in a dynamic environment and highlight the critical role of the air supply system's response, offering a new perspective for developing more efficient engine control strategies to mitigate fuel penalties in actual seas.

Presenting Author: Oleksiy Bondarenko National Maritime Research Institute

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Oleksiy Bondarenko is a Principal Researcher in the Marine Environment & Engine System Department at the National Maritime Research Institute. His research focuses on propulsion system dynamics, engine-propeller interaction, simulation, and control. He holds a PhD in Naval Architecture from Osaka University, as well as Master's degrees from Osaka University and Odessa National Maritime Academy.

Authors:

Oleksiy Bondarenko National Maritime Research Institute
Kenji Sasa Graduate School of Maritime Sciences, Kobe University
Yasushi Kitagawa National Maritime Research Institute