Emissions can reduce with virtual fuel meters
(Posted on 07/01/19)
By utilising waste heat recovery and using modern technology like machine learning to create virtual fuel meters, the shipping sector can reduce both its emissions and its fuel consumption. This is shown in a new dissertation by Fredrik Ahlgren at Kalmar maritime academy at Linnaeus University.
The ships of today collect large quantities of data from their engines and machines when operating, like engine speed, temperatures, and pressure. During the work on his dissertation, Fredrik Ahlgren, doctor of maritime science at Linnaeus University, got the idea to combine these data in order to use machine learning to create virtual fuel meters. These can then show the consumption in real-time without having to install physical fuel meters.
“The virtual fuel meters can help crews bring their ships forward in a more energy-efficient way. Thereby also reducing emissions of hazardous substances like greenhouse gases and other pollutants”, explains Fredrik Ahlgren.
The shipping sector is facing a major challenge to radically reduce its emissions of carbon dioxide, particles that are hazardous to the environment and to human health, and sulphur and nitrogen oxides.
“Today, emissions from the shipping sector make up roughly 11 percent of the total carbon dioxide emissions from the transport sector. If we are to succeed in our work to reduce global climate change and reduce the effects of air pollution on human health, we must work with many methods at the same time”, says Ahlgren.
In addition to the implementation of new technology like machine learning and artificial intelligence, the shipping sector can become more energy-efficient by making better use of the waste heat from ships’ engines. In his dissertation, Fredrik Ahlgren has also made an extensive analysis of how the energy system on board a cruise ship works. This mapping resulted in knowledge about how waste heat in cooling water and exhaust fumes can be better utilised in existing and new equipment on board ships. In particular, Ahlgren studied how an intended installation of a so-called Organic Rankine Cycle can convert waste heat to electricity.
Fredrik Ahlgren publicly defended his doctoral thesis on 13 December and his dissertation has attracted great interest.
“So far, on request, I have sent a couple of hundred copies of the dissertation to different office holders within the shipping sector in northern Europe. This shows that machine learning and artificial intelligence are hot topics and important pieces of the puzzle to create a more sustainable shipping sector.”
Latest News
OrbitMI launches enhanced Data-as-a-Service for dry bulk
(Posted on 22/07/24)OrbitMI has announced the launch of its latest Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) offering, tailored specifically... Read more
Flexicon marks 50 years
(Posted on 22/07/24)Flexicon Corporation, a privately-held firm and world leader in bulk handling equipment and systems,... Read more
Siwertell ship loader order for high-capacity fertilizer handling
(Posted on 16/07/24)Bruks Siwertell has secured an order for a Siwertell ship loader type-1A from Libyan Fertilizer Company... Read more
ECOsubsea invests in Singapore with NOK 35m from Innovation Norway
(Posted on 16/07/24)It is a climate and environmental problem that ship hulls are not cleaned often and gently. After being... Read more
ECOsubsea invests in Singapore with NOK 35m from Innovation Norway
(Posted on 16/07/24)It is a climate and environmental problem that ship hulls are not cleaned often and gently. After being... Read more
Berge Neblina sets sail with four carbon-saving rotor sails
(Posted on 12/07/24)Berge Bulk has announced the successful installation of four emissions-reducing rotor sails on Berge... Read more
Wärtsilä simulators to support Singapore's Wavelink Maritime Institute
(Posted on 12/07/24)Technology group Wärtsilä has supplied its new dual-fuel engine simulator technology for Wavelink... Read more
Oulu extends cargo handling with Konecranes Gottwald
(Posted on 04/07/24)The Finnish Port of Oulu has ordered a Konecranes Gottwald ESP.7 Portal Harbor Crane to improve cargo... Read more
Intergis adds flexibility in South Korea with Konecranes Gottwald Gen 6 MHC
(Posted on 28/06/24)Intergis Co., Ltd ordered a Konecranes Gottwald ESP.5 Mobile Harbour Crane to improve its bulk and general... Read more
Live freight rate visibility across routes and maturities
(Posted on 28/06/24)AXSMarine, a pioneer and market leader in the provision of advanced solutions and market intelligence... Read more
