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Air Lubrication System for Ships

The depicted cruise ship serves as an example for which the air lubrication system could be suitable.

Air lubrication reduces the hydrodynamic friction between the ship’s hull and the water by injecting air bubbles under the hull. This leads to lower fuel costs and reduced CO2-emissions. This environmentally friendly technology can reduce friction by up to 80% and achieve fuel savings of 10-20%. Moreover, it helps ships comply with the stringent international standards for energy efficiency and carbon reduction, such as the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), and the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII). Discover the air lubrication system from our partner, which utilizes advanced microbubble technology to improve a ship’s efficiency by up to 15%.

Air Lubrication System for Ships

Discover the air lubrication system from our partner, which utilizes advanced microbubble technology to improve a ship’s efficiency by up to 15%.

The depicted cruise ship serves as an example for the air lubrication system using advanced microbubble technology.

Technology

The air lubrication system uses small air bubbles (~0.5 mm), generated by standardized airfoils, to reduce the hull’s resistance.

These airfoils, developed by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), are optimized for efficient airflow and bubble formation.

By integrating these aerodynamic profiles, optimal distribution and formation of microbubbles are achieved, which is essential for reducing friction.

Hull-Optimizing Effect

The generated microbubbles create a hull-optimizing effect, significantly reducing the turbulence around the ship’s hull.

This is because the microbubbles disrupt the laminar flow of water around the hull, resulting in a drastic reduction in hydrodynamic resistance.

The upward buoyancy of the microbubbles pushes them against the ship’s hull, creating an insulating layer that further reduces resistance.

Advantages

The air lubrication system operates effectively under a wide range of sea and weather conditions without compromising the operational efficiency of your ship. It reduces both fuel costs and emissions, regardless of the fuel used, and offers the opportunity to reinvest the savings in additional green technologies or transition to more sustainable fuels.

What sets this air lubrication system apart is its use of natural flow dynamics, significantly reducing the need for powerful compressors. Up to a depth of 4 meters, the system generates microbubbles through natural ventilation pressure, with a compressor only being deployed at greater depths.

This results in a simpler and more cost-effective method of air lubrication, with reduced energy requirements and lower maintenance needs. These advantages contribute to a longer lifespan and increased reliability of the system.

Furthermore, the implementation of this air lubrication technology reduces biofouling on the hull, resulting in less cleaning and greater overall efficiency for the ship.

Waste Heat Recovery for Air Lubrication Compressor

The air lubrication system can be combined with a waste heat recovery system. This installation, specifically developed for shipping, utilizes waste heat from exhaust gases, engine cooling water, waste steam, or thermal oil and converts it into directly available electrical energy.

This energy can then power the air lubrication compressor, effectively covering the system’s energy demand. This approach not only makes the air lubrication system more efficient but also more sustainable by optimizing the use of available onboard energy sources.

Installation Process

The air lubrication system can be installed on both new and existing ships. The easily handled hydrofoils and air mixing chambers are strategically mounted on the side of the ship’s hull, while the compressor and cloud-based monitoring system are installed inside the vessel.

Upon delivery, you will receive technical drawings, an equipment list, and an installation manual. All components, except for the system units, are standard parts that can be easily procured and installed by the shipyard.

Bureau Veritas (BV), an renowned classification society, has granted an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the installation on board ships.

This approval covers both the design and installation of the air lubrication system, paving the way for safe and reliable application. The final acceptance takes place in consultation with all parties involved, ensuring a smooth and reliable installation.

In Practice

The implementation of the air lubrication system on existing ships has provided valuable insights. A notable example is a ferry equipped with this innovative sustainable solution. Operational data shows that a fuel saving of approximately 10% has been achieved.

This saving confirms the system’s effectiveness in daily practice, with the investment potentially being recouped in less than 5 years.

Technology

The air lubrication system uses small air bubbles (~0.5 mm), generated by standardized airfoils, to reduce the hull’s resistance. These airfoils, developed by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), are optimized for efficient airflow and bubble formation. By integrating these aerodynamic profiles, optimal distribution and formation of microbubbles are achieved, which is essential for reducing friction.

Hull-Optimizing Effect

The generated microbubbles create a hull-optimizing effect, significantly reducing the turbulence around the ship’s hull. This is because the microbubbles disrupt the laminar flow of water around the hull, resulting in a drastic reduction in hydrodynamic resistance. The upward buoyancy of the microbubbles pushes them against the ship’s hull, creating an insulating layer that further reduces resistance.

Advantages

The air lubrication system operates effectively under a wide range of sea and weather conditions without compromising the operational efficiency of your ship. It reduces both fuel costs and emissions, regardless of the fuel used, and offers the opportunity to reinvest the savings in additional green technologies or transition to more sustainable fuels.

What sets this air lubrication system apart is its use of natural flow dynamics, significantly reducing the need for powerful compressors. Up to a depth of 4 meters, the system generates microbubbles through natural ventilation pressure, with a compressor only being deployed at greater depths.

This results in a simpler and more cost-effective method of air lubrication, with reduced energy requirements and lower maintenance needs. These advantages contribute to a longer lifespan and increased reliability of the system.

Furthermore, the implementation of this air lubrication technology reduces biofouling on the hull, resulting in less cleaning and greater overall efficiency for the ship.

Waste Heat Recovery for Air Lubrication Compressor

The air lubrication system can be combined with a waste heat recovery system. This installation, specifically developed for shipping, utilizes waste heat from exhaust gases, engine cooling water, waste steam, or thermal oil and converts it into directly available electrical energy. This energy can then power the air lubrication compressor, effectively covering the system’s energy demand. This approach not only makes the air lubrication system more efficient but also more sustainable by optimizing the use of available onboard energy sources.

Installation Process

The air lubrication system can be installed on both new and existing ships. The easily handled hydrofoils and air mixing chambers are strategically mounted on the side of the ship’s hull, while the compressor and cloud-based monitoring system are installed inside the vessel. Upon delivery, you will receive technical drawings, an equipment list, and an installation manual. All components, except for the system units, are standard parts that can be easily procured and installed by the shipyard.

Bureau Veritas (BV), a renowned classification society, has granted an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the installation on board ships. This approval covers both the design and installation of the air lubrication system, paving the way for safe and reliable application. The final acceptance takes place in consultation with all parties involved, ensuring a smooth and reliable installation.

In Practice

The implementation of the air lubrication system on existing ships has provided valuable insights. A notable example is a ferry equipped with this innovative sustainable solution. Operational data shows that a fuel saving of approximately 10% has been achieved. This saving confirms the system’s effectiveness in daily practice, with the investment potentially being recouped in less than 5 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

This air lubrication system could be of interest to a wide range of existing and new ship types, including cargo ships, oil and gas tankers, cruise ships, ferries, Ro-Ro vessels, and LNG carriers.

When implementing this technique, it is essential to investigate various variables to make informed decisions and fully benefit from the advantages. These variables include, among other things, the specifications of the ship’s hull, operational profiles, current fuel consumption, and the technical requirements for integrating the system.

To prevent biofouling, such as mussels, algae, and other marine organisms, on your underwater hull, consider using biocide-free antifouling. This coating reduces the frictional resistance of your ship’s hull, protects marine ecosystems, and eliminates the need for harmful biocides. As a result, you not only maximize the efficiency of air lubrication but also contribute to environmentally sustainable and efficient ship operations.

In addition to air lubrication, you can reduce your ship’s CO2 footprint with various sustainable technologies. For example, Energy Saving Devices (ESDs) for existing and new ships are designed to reduce hull resistance and improve the thrust of the ship’s propeller. Additionally, a wind-assisted ship propulsion system, such as suction sails, offers a powerful way to reduce your ship’s CO2 emissions by harnessing wind energy.

Contact Us

Contact Details Berger Maritiem:

Street and Postal Code:

Steur 50, 3344 JJ

City:

Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht

Country:

Netherlands

Phone Number:

+31 78 6 414 525

Email Address:

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Air lubrication

Air lubrication reduces the hydrodynamic friction between the ship’s hull and the water by injecting air bubbles under the hull. This leads to lower fuel costs and reduced CO2 emissions. This environmentally friendly technology can reduce friction by up to 80% and achieve fuel savings of 10-20%. Moreover, it helps ships comply with the stringent international standards for energy efficiency and carbon reduction, such as the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), and the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII).

Air Lubrication System

During the ship’s navigation, air is released through angled hydrofoils and air mixing chambers, causing the formation of microbubbles. These microbubbles arise through a natural process called Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. This process occurs when two fluid layers with different speeds disturb each other, leading to turbulent eddies and bubble formation. When the speed differences are large enough, the stability of the layers is broken, and air bubbles are drawn and generated in the water.

Hull-Optimizing Effect in Penguins

A study shows that the hull-optimizing effect of this air lubrication system is similar to the effect seen in penguins. These seabirds keep their feathers close to their bodies to trap compressed air. When they swim upwards, this air expands, releasing small bubbles that eliminate up to 100 percent of the friction between the feathers and the water.

Researchers have conducted experiments with bubbles on flat plates, similar to the sides of tankers, and found that this reduces friction by more than 80 percent. Penguins slide through the bubbles they create and leave them in their wake, allowing them to shoot out of the water at speeds of up to 18 miles per hour.

Air Lubrication Reduces Biofouling on the Ship's Hull

First, the injected air bubbles form a physical barrier between the water and the hull, making it more difficult for marine organisms such as algae, shells, and other fouling species to attach. Additionally, these air bubbles create turbulence that changes the flow dynamics, increasing shear stress and counteracting further adhesion and growth of organisms.

Moreover, the turbulent environment reduces the supply of nutrients to the hull, limiting the growth of fouling organisms. Finally, the oxygen in the air bubbles has a toxic effect on marine organisms, further inhibiting their growth.

How the Air Lubrication System Works

During the ship’s navigation, air is released through angled hydrofoils and air mixing chambers, causing the formation of microbubbles. These microbubbles arise through a natural process called Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. This process occurs when two fluid layers with different speeds disturb each other, leading to turbulent eddies and bubble formation. When the speed differences are large enough, the stability of the layers is broken, and air bubbles are drawn and generated in the water.

Hull-Optimizing Effect in Penguins

A study shows that the hull-optimizing effect of this air lubrication system is similar to the effect seen in penguins. These seabirds keep their feathers close to their bodies to trap compressed air. When they swim upwards, this air expands, releasing small bubbles that eliminate up to 100 percent of the friction between the feathers and the water.

Researchers have conducted experiments with bubbles on flat plates, similar to the sides of tankers, and found that this reduces friction by more than 80 percent. Penguins slide through the bubbles they create and leave them in their wake, allowing them to shoot out of the water at speeds of up to 18 miles per hour.

Air Lubrication Reduces Biofouling on the Ship's Hull

First, the injected air bubbles form a physical barrier between the water and the hull, making it more difficult for marine organisms such as algae, shells, and other fouling species to attach. Additionally, these air bubbles create turbulence that changes the flow dynamics, increasing shear stress and counteracting further adhesion and growth of organisms.

Moreover, the turbulent environment reduces the supply of nutrients to the hull, limiting the growth of fouling organisms. Finally, the oxygen in the air bubbles has a toxic effect on marine organisms, further inhibiting their growth.

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