Smart Propulsion Control System Saving Fuel and Reducing Emissions
In August 2023, the innovative Fuel Opt system by Yara Marine Technologies was successfully installed on MV Pulpca to enhance vessel energy efficiency and support our sustainability goals. This cutting-edge system dynamically optimises the combination of pitch and RPM for vessels equipped with a controllable pitch propeller, under varying operating conditions; it adjusts in real-time to achieve optimal propulsion efficiency.
Traditionally, vessels operate using a fixed RPM mode or a conventional combinator mode. The fixed RPM mode, while allowing the use of the shaft generator for electricity without auxiliary engines, results in suboptimal propulsion efficiency when operating outside design conditions. The conventional combinator mode adjusts both pitch and RPM to improve efficiency, but its fixed relations limit optimisation.
Fuel Opt’s dynamic combinator mode addresses these limitations by continuously identifying the best combination of pitch and RPM for the current conditions, significantly improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. The system also introduces new control options, enabling the crew to set specific parameters such as desired fuel consumption (T/day) or speed (knots), ensuring the vessel operates with maximum efficiency.
Following the installation on Pulpca, extensive trials compared the existing combinator mode with Fuel Opt’s dynamic combinator mode. Results showed a 3-5% reduction in fuel consumption, which, though seemingly modest, leads to significant annual savings in fuel and reductions in CO₂ emissions. This success has prompted the decision to equip all Conro class vessels with the Fuel Opt system, underscoring our dedication to sustainability and operational excellence.