Consortium creates engine efficiency solution for the marine sector16 November 2018

A consortium, led by Bowman Power Group Ltd, has successfully created a new, marine-capable system to increase engine efficiency and reduce emissions.

The project was part-funded by Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, and a leading research and innovation hub. Key engine original equipment manufacturer (OEM), certification and academic partners – Rolls-Royce Power Systems (RRPS), Lloyds Register and University College London (UCL) – also provided guidance and support. In total the project cost £1.5 million.

Bowman put forward its electric turbo compounding (ETC) technology as the basis for development, whilst RRPS provided key information and simulation results for its MTU Series 4000 M93 engine, which is commonly used in the marine sector.

Bowman also worked with the Marine Research Group at UCL to determine the feasibility of ETC technology across a range of marine fleet sectors. Specifically, UCL developed a system modelling approach to explore the benefits, performance, limits, secondary impacts and expected results.

Following completion of the modelling, Bowman moved forward with prototyping and testing. They built seven different turbo generator and power electronics prototypes and tested them in different applications including in a specialist test facility and within a number of land-based applications. This enabled them to simulate real operating conditions.

To ensure the product met specific criteria for the marine market, Bowman worked with Lloyds Register to create mechanical and electrical marine compliance response documentation.

As a result of this work, Bowman was able to deliver a road map, validated with testing, to produce a marine-capable ETC system, based on its ETC 1000 product. The firm demonstrated the potential to achieve fuel savings of up to 7.8% and a reduction in CO2 emissions for a number of ships currently in operation, at sea and in port.

Says Bowman CEO Paul Dowman-Tucker: “In the past 12 months we have explored and successfully entered a number of new markets, including active discussions with two large marine engine OEMs and a major ferry operator. The support of Innovate UK, and our partners, went a long way towards making this happen. We are very grateful to all the parties involved for their help with this achievement.”

Adam Offord

Related Companies
Bowman Power Group Ltd

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