Through the Bohemian sea with hybrid technology
September 2016
Motion Control & Drives
Using a bow thruster as a manoeuvring aid, lends the bow of the ship a valuable added lateral thrust in the required direction in case of crosswind.
In the Bohemia Rhapsody, one of the fastest and most up-to-date passenger ships in the Czech Republic, this thruster has an additional use: configured as a 360° pump jet, it also acts as a ship’s engine in emergency mode. To achieve this, the Konstanz-based company, Zebotec, opted to use a compact bidirectional DC power converter from Siemens. The result: a redundant ship’s propulsion system supplied with its own independent source of ecologically generated power.
The 45 metre long ship offers perfect views of Prague’s sights from the vantage point of the Vltava River. To ensure that the ship is ready for operation at a moment’s notice, the Bohemia Rhapsody uses a storage battery and Siemens technology to enable three operating modes with up to 80 kilowatts of power. This allows the ship to switch over to the emergency mode from running operation at any time for a period of up to 30 minutes.
The special feature of this propulsion concept is that it combines different types of power sources.
Unique solution for a special ship
To allow the Bohemia Rhapsody to use the bow thruster as an engine in case of emergency, it is connected together with secondary units to a bidirectional Sinamics DCP DC/DC power converter from Siemens. Buck and boost of the voltage, feeding and charging the battery all take place in the DC power converter, eliminating the need for additional devices. The high switching frequency allows a compact design of the DC/DC power converter and consequently significant space savings.
A hybrid concept in record time
It took just three months between placement of order and delivery of the passenger ship. Zebotec founder and partner, Richard Morris, is delighted by the innovative propulsion concept: “Even the basic concept of the bow thrusters, which can also be used as a means of propulsion, is a very special one. But the really outstanding innovative feature is the energy supply provided by a storage battery – and the way in which the battery can be used both for emergency purposes and for covering peak loads in normal operation”.
For more information contact Jennifer Naidoo, Siemens Southern Africa, +27 (0)11 652 2795, [email protected], www.siemens.co.za
Further reading:
Record-breaking dragline relocation
Motion Control & Drives
Draglines are key pieces of equipment in open-pit mining. BHP Mitsubishi Alliance entrusted Mammoet with the relocation of a 3100 ton Marion 8050 dragline from one end of the Peak Downs coal mine in Queensland, Australia to another, a full 27 km away.
Read more...
igus expands 3D printing capabilities
igus
Motion Control & Drives
Motion plastics specialist, igus South Africa has introduced a new 3D printing service capable of producing custom parts in two engineering-grade polymers with exceptional strength and without the need for lubrication.
Read more...
Bühler‘s new die refurbishment machine
Motion Control & Drives
Bühler has reinforced its commitment to customers in southern Africa with the installation of a new die refurbishment machine at its Johannesburg workshop.
Read more...
SEW-EURODRIVE drives innovation at automotive plant
SEW-EURODRIVE
Motion Control & Drives
[Sponsored] A major automotive manufacturer in Gauteng has boosted its operational efficiency, safety and energy savings with the installation of SEW-EURODRIVE’s advanced MOVIGEAR mechatronic drive system in its newly expanded buffering zone.
Read more...
Reimagining rotation for a circular and sustainable future
SKF South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Through the design and manufacture of components with sustainability at their core, SKF is reimagining the future of rotation, rolling away from traditional, consumable-based thinking toward a smarter, more sustainable circular approach.”
Read more...
Optimising operational efficiencies through advanced filtration systems
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG
Motion Control & Drives
Filtration is the only effective defense against wear and tear when contaminants are present. It is therefore critical that effective filter components are correctly used to ensure dependable performance, high efficiency and extended service life of machinery and vehicles.
Read more...
A world first in maintenance
Motion Control & Drives
Lutz Pumpen has therefore developed a filling tool called Lutz Lube Drive, which considerably simplifies the maintenance process. The idea is that a commercial cordless screwdriver becomes the motor of a pump tube.
Read more...
The future of robotics
Motion Control & Drives
Research into robotics and autonomy uncovers some of the up-and-coming industrial uses and applications within the sector, including for automotives and logistics, as well as for personal and commercial use.
Read more...
Customised electromechanical systems for Africa’s toughest industrial environments
Motion Control & Drives
Hexagon Electrical, a South African-based manufacturer of specialised electromechanical equipment, is reinforcing its position as a leading custom solutions provider to the mining, utilities, industrial and renewable energy sectors.
Read more...
Epiroc strengthens productivity and sustainability
Motion Control & Drives
Epiroc is accelerating the transformation towards more productive and sustainable mining operations with the introduction of the new Minetruck MT22. The new 22-ton underground truck is designed for mining operations with small drift sizes, delivering increased effectiveness, reduced exhaust emissions, lower fuel consumption and extended service intervals.
Read more...
printer friendly version