View non-flash version
Investment in Design • By David Tinsley from VT's current, main shipbuilding yard at Woolston, Southampton, which is to cease shipbuilding. Much of the advanced manufacturing wherewithal will be concentrated in the steel produc- tion hall, which will focus on cutting, profiling and fabrication activities. One of the new yard's two 426-ft. (130-m) shipbuilding bays will be estab- lished on an area prepared by infilling an existing graving dock, and will have the potential for extension by a further 230- ft. (70-m). Moreover, the site could be augmented with a third newbuild berth, by infilling another, adjoining drydock to create a bay up to 623 ft. (190 m). In the initial configuration, the two shipbuilding bays will be complemented by the availability of at least one dry- dock specifically for outfitting. Portsmouth's debut contract for work on the first six Type 45 destroyers will be worth in excess of £200-million ($300-million) to VT, through its involvement in the design and support as well as production stages of the project. The blocks to be supplied will comprise the bow section, funnel and masts, it is planned that the class will eventually consist of up to 12 ships. Cutting Edge Know-How to Cut Smoke As a further vindication of major Greek investment in marine propulsion research, the state-of-the-art. engine test laboratory inaugurated less than two years ago at the National Technical Uni- versity of Athens (NTUA) will con- tribute to a new European project to reduce diesel engine smoke emissions. Co-ordinated by the Greek C1MAC Association, the EU-sponsored collabo- rative research program, dubbed Smok- ermen, was implemented at the outset of July this year, with an intended 36- month duration. The NTUA's Laboratory of Marine Engineering will lend its experimental testing resources and mathematical modeling expertise to the endeavor, which aims to cut smoke emissions to below the visible limit in transient and low-load conditions. The EU is providing around 50-per- cent funding support for the ambitious project, which also involves partners from Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, in the shape of classifica- tion society Germanischer Lloyd, engine control systems specialist Woodward Governor Nederland and turbocharger maker ABB Turbo Systems. Smokermen is focused on medium-speed and high- speed diesel plant, and aims to curb smoke formation during the critical load phases by improving the air-charging of main and auxiliary engines. The impulse for the program has come from shipping company members of the Greek chapter of CIMAC, who have raised concerns over engine smoke emissions, aware of the growing envi- ronmental sensitivities associated with smoke from ships' stacks. Greek CIMAC members also intend to make vessels available for onboard measure- ments, a vital part of the research under- taking. The project will evaluate two techno- logically-advanced solutions to the problem of fuel-air mismatch, which manifests itself during transient loading and leads to increased smoke output. Two prototype systems and the respec- tive engine control arrangements will be developed and installed on a marine diesel engine on a testbed. to evaluate performance. The techniques, which will be used for the prototypes, will be high-pressure air injection to accelerate the turbocharger and feed the engine at the onset of a transient load condition, and advanced pulse turbocharging with variable geom- etry manifold. Blessey Marine Services hasn't asked us to build a single barge. They've asked us to build a fleet. Since 1991, Jeffboat has built over 30 hot-oil and clean-service tank barges for Blessey Marine Services. The reason they keep coming back to us is the same reason you should come to us for your tank barge needs. Jeffboat barges are built to last. By experienced and dedicated barge builders using quality materials and state-of- the-art systems and processes. Whether you want to build a fleet of tank barges or just one, give us a call at 812-288-0200. JEFFBOAT America's largest inland shipyard. Circle 242 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com August, 2002 21
