ABB solutions picked for Yamal LNG project icebreaker

Designed by Aker Arctic, the icebreaker will support LNG carriers’ operability in the approach channel to the Sabetta harbor and in the terminal at Sabetta. With a length of 89.5 m, draft of 6.5 m and 12 MW propulsion power, it has been designed to proceed at a speed of two knots in level ice 1.5 m thick and at four knots in 5 m thick brash ice in limited water depth.

ABB will provide the power, automation and turbocharging capabilities for the vessel, which will maximize fuel efficiency and maneuverability by including four Azipod thrusters, adapted for the tough ice conditions and ABB’s DC Grid system, to distribute energy effectively. The main engine will also be fitted with a Power2 800-M advanced two-stage turbocharging system, enabling the highest efficiency turbocharging performance.

Peter Terweisch, ABB Group Senior Vice President, Process Automation says, “ABB’s marine applications are at the forefront of the icebreaking market with our process automation technology now central to the world’s most advanced icebreaking vessel. We are very pleased to be able to deliver industry leading levels of efficiency and safety by providing so many ABB latest generation solutions on one vessel.”

The vessel’s ABB Onboard DC Grid systemhas many advantages. It provides space and weight savings whilst minimizing noise and vibration. A key advantages is that it allows diesel engines to run at variable speeds, rather than one fixed speed, is important when managing ice conditions. This flexibility can also cut fuel use and emissions.

Two pairs of Azipod thrusters will be fitted on the bow and stern of the ship, all of which will be adapted to the conditions. They will be equipped with powerful electric motors (3 MW each). Turning 360 degrees, they will allow the ship’s crew to maneuver the vessel to operate stern or bow first.

Aker Arctic’s Mika Hovilainen says “The harbor icebreaker is a totally new concept especially developed for heavy harbor ice conditions with extensive thick brash ice. Having four Azipod units helps to take operability, maneuverability and ice management capability to one step further. Along with ABB Marine and Ports, we continue to be at the cutting edge of icebreaking technology.”

The icebreaker’s ABB Integrated Power and Energy Management System and Marine Automation System bring together main elements of the ship’s performance, such as power generation and propulsion, into a centralized system allowing the operator to increase efficiency and safety.

The Power2 800-M two-stage turbocharging system on the icebreaker’s Wärtsilä 31 engine, will further enhance fuel efficiency and flexibility of operations. With a low pressure and high pressure stage, it provides higher air pressure ratios, up to 12 from 8 in the previous generation. Compared to a single-stage turbocharger operating at 65-70% efficiency, Power2 800-M goes beyond 75% efficiency, the only system currently available across the large engine industry with this capability.

The turbocharging system responds to the need for new marine engine technology to offer consistency of performance across conventional and newer marine fuel options. This application will demonstrate the advances in efficiency and power density now available for four-stroke engines operating across a wide range of load profiles and facing added demands of emissions legislation.

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ABB announces turbocharger essay contest winners

On November 16, 1905 Swiss engineer Alfred Büchi patented the world’s first turbocharger for BBC, the precursor company of today’s ABB. Today, turbochargers are deployed across the globe in ships, locomotives, freight vehicles, heavy construction equipment and agricultural machinery, and in generating sets and power stations. More than 200,000 ABB turbochargers are in daily use to raise power output, lower emissions, cut fuel consumption and, ultimately, save money.

The competition, which was judged by three engineers from ABB Turbocharging Baden, required entrants to write a 750-1,250 word essay on the development of turbocharger technology and the key drivers for further technological progress in the future. Participants were also asked the challenging question: “How much would a pair of sneakers made in the U.S. and shipped to Switzerland cost if shipped without a turbocharged container vessel?”

ABB has named Charles Stuart from Ballycastle in Northern Ireland as the overall winner of the competition’s $2,500 first prize essay. His entry on “How 110 Years of Turbocharging Changed the World’ brought to life the critical impact turbocharging has had on engine development in general, and on shipping efficiency and costs in particular. Charles is a 24-year-old Ph.D. student researching compressor aerodynamics and 1-D design tools at Queen’s University, Belfast.

Second prize, worth $1,500, has been awarded to Anton Ronquist, also 24 years old, a mechatronics Masters student at Linköping University.Petr Kohout, a 24-year old mechanical engineering Masters student at Czech Technical University in Prague specializing in combustion engines, won the third prize, worth $1,000.

ABB has also awarded ten consolation prizes to runners-up in the contest.

Volkmar Haueisen, ABB’s Head of Research and Development, commented: “We are delighted that our essay competition attracted so many participants in this important year in ABB’s turbocharger timeline. The quality of their entries has been very high. Our wholehearted congratulations go to Charles whose entry was, in our opinion, outstanding. What Alfred Büchi invented more than a century ago has developed into a truly transformational technology which has played a vital part in raising engine efficiency for more than one hundred years. Millions of tonnes of fuel and harmful emissions have been saved. Charles’ entry reflects these remarkable achievements.”

Entrants to the competition may have wrestled with answering the question on sneakers, but they had no shortage of material to include from over 100 years of continuously evolving turbocharger technology.
Some of the key milestones include:

“This has been a fantastic record of continuous development in a technology with no downside. Turbochargers only improve performance,” Mr. Haueisen said. “Our research team is now fully focused on the science relating to the next stage of technological development. We are proud to be the pioneers of this outstanding technology.”

Download the winning essay HERE

Kleven to build advanced cable layer for ABB

The vessel will be custom built to ABB specifications, with Norway’s Salt Ship Design working closely with ABB, the shipyard and MAATS Tech of the U.K., which is responsible for the integration of the cable lay mission equipment in the design development. The resulting SALT 306 design, says Salt, is “very comprehensive and fit for purpose.”

“This next-generation vessel incorporating state-of-the-art ABB technologies will be a key differentiator for our high-voltage cable business, enhancing flexibility and execution ability,” said Claudio Facchin, president of ABB’s Power Systems division. “It will also improve operational efficiency and customer focus, supporting profitable growth in line with our Next Level strategy.”

The new ship will deploy many of ABB’s own leading marine technologies. The award-winning Onboard DC Grid and power distribution solution, for instance, will use a single DC circuit for ship propulsion to reduce power consumption.

The vessel will set new standards for reliability and accuracy and will be equipped with roll-reduction tanks and the subsea operations will be executed and monitored by a remotely operated vehicle using cameras and sonar, avoiding the need for divers.

The vessel will also feature a complete ABB Integrated Automation System and three Azipod propulsion units. Together with an energy storage system for marine applications it will cut fuel consumption by 27 percent and reduce maintenance compared to traditional AC systems.

Sensors, monitoring hardware and software will enable data to be sent to shore via a satellite link, to allow the onshore technical support centers to work closely with the ship as part of ABB’s Integrated Marine Operations solution. Advanced advisory software for motion monitoring, forecasting and decision support will also be on board.

Thanks to dynamic positioning technology to DP3 class, the ship will be able to maintain its position with a high precision.

It is constructed in such a way that fire and flooding can be contained and will not compromise positioning and other essential systems.

With experience dating back to 1883, ABB is a global leader in high-voltage cable systems with an installed base across applications such as integration of renewables, city center in-feeds, oil and gas platform power supplies, and subsea interconnections. ABB has commissioned more than 25 high-voltage direct current links and hundreds of high-voltage alternating current links around the world.

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ABB launches new propulsion drive

JUNE 8, 2015 — ABB has launched the NektonDrive, a new propulsion drive to help vessels use electrical power more efficiently and lower environmental impact in a sustainable way. The NektonDrive is

PSV is first vessel with ABB Onboard DC Grid

APRIL 4, 2013 —  Recently delivered to Myklebusthaug Offshore, Fonnes, Norway, by shipbuilder Kleven, the platform supply vessel Dina Star is the first vessel to feature ABB’s Onboard DC (direct current) Grid.

ABB to supply electrical systems for Brazilian drillships

FEBRUARY 7, 2013—Under contracts worth $160 million, ABB, Zurich, Switzerland, will design, supply, supervision of installation, testing and commissioning of the main electrical systems for seven next generation drill ships that are being

TUI Cruise newbuild to have ABB energy management package

SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 — A 99,300 gt, 2,500 passenger cruise ship being built by STX Finland’s Turku shipyard for TUI Cruises GmbH will have a comprehensive automation package and energy management system