The ships, due delivery from China Shipbuilding Corp in 2011, are being built to Bureau Veritas class, and will be the first tankers from the Taiwanese yard in 20 years.
Terje Bjørnemo, Hamworthy global sales director for pump room systems, said that the selection of low harmonic variable speed drives came after the owner and the yard concluded that the solution was more energy efficient and more dependable than traditional steam turbines that include outdated steam driven piston pumps. The decision was taken in consultation with Taipei-based United Ship Design and Development Centre.
“The equipment will all be controlled and monitored by a Hamworthy Cargo Control System (HCCS), a state of the art PLC-based control system where all signals are electric rather than pneumatic,” said Mr Bjørnemo. “In agreeing on this modern solution, the owner will benefit from all of the advantages conferred by PLC-based control.”
Type HCCS is a modular ship automation system controlling and monitoring the complete cargo and ballast handling process, as well as taking care of all alarm and shutdown functions for maximum safety. The system is prepared for easy interconnection at various levels with other control systems on board, forming an integrated total system.
Using frequency converters means that the pumps can operate at optimum performance during any unloading conditions, resulting in higher total system efficiency and lower power consumption. When used as a direct drive force, electric motors also increase system efficiency compared with alternative systems.
Rafal Kroczka, Hamworthy managing director of Hamworthy Baltic Design Centre (HBDC), said: “A study conducted this year at the HBDC established that steam turbine-driven cargo pumps create almost three times the CO2 emissions and double the fuel consumption when compared to electrically-driven systems during offloading operations.”
Mr. Bjørnemo added: “The benefits of this technology also include improved life-cycle costs, reduced noise emissions, lower maintenance, reduced installation and commissioning costs, greater operational flexibility, and safer operation.”
