Considerations for Propulsor Selection

For Operation in Ice

Part 2
The Propulsion Concept of the
European Research Icebreaker
AURORA BOREALIS
Arctic Shipping Summit 2011
HELSINKI, 12th to 14th of April, 2011
Willy Doelling Wrtsil Ship Design Germany

Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

The Project

AURORA BOREALIS is the combination of three different ship types in one: A Heavy Icebreaker A Multifunctional Research Vessel A Scientific Drill Ship

Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

The Background of the Project

Following the rapid changes in global climate, the German Science Council recommended the construction of AURORA BOREALIS.

The German Ministry for Education and Research funded the initial design and planning of AURORA BOREALIS.

The Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research awarded Wrtsil Ship Design Germany with the contract to create and validate the design.

An international group of institutions and agencies, united in the European Research Icebreaker Consortium (ERICON) and funded by the European Union, currently plans construction and operation of AURORA BOREALIS.

Provided the securing of funding in time, AURORA BOREALIS is scheduled to be completed in 2015.

Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

The Vessels Missions

AURORA BOREALIS has to fulfill three distinct and highly challenging missions:

Autonomously navigate in the ice-covered waters of the Arctic and Antarctic, throughout the year.

Facilitate scientific research in polar and non polar regions in the fields of oceanography, geology, biology, glaciology, meteorology, geophysics, atmosphere physics and bathymetry, throughout the year.

Autonomously perform scientific drilling operations in polar and non-polar regions, throughout the year, without any assistance from outside.

Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

Specification

Length over all Length between perpendiculars Maximum moulded breadth Depth to working deck Draught max 199.85 m 174.27 m 49.00 m 17.75 m 13.25m Cruising speed Persons on Board Ice Class Installed Power Independent moon pools 15.5 kt 120 PC1 94 MW 2 pcs

Vessel functionality from -50C and research work from -30C to +45C.

Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

Cross Section i.w.o. fwd Moonpool/Atrium

Special designed cross section:

Inclined bottom to avoid ice sticking to the shell Improved ice breaking capability in manoeuvring and station keeping by means of side balcony in conjunction with controlled roll and pitch motions Wave reflection in open waters by side balcony Accommodation of centre line moon pools and related atrium with laboratories and skylight.

Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

Subdivision and Power Plant Arrangement

Safety, reliability and redundancy have been given the highest possible attention: Double- and triple-hull arrangements. 8 gensets of total 94 MW in 2 separate compartments. Fully separated engine and switchboard rooms.

Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

Main Propulsion Requirements

Transit over extensive distances (e.g. from Arctic to Antarctic) at a service speed of 15.5 knots/18,000kW propulsion power. Continuous ice breaking of 2.5m multi year ice of 700 kPa at 3 knots as well ahead as astern. Breaking through ice ridges of up to 15. meters. IACS Ice Class PC1 (and above where necessary). Robust and simple design. Well-proven and reliable technology. Maintenance and repairs by means of onboard facilities. Access to all components and systems while the vessel is afloat (as far as feasible). Low-noise requirements for research work.

Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

Main Propulsion Arrangement

Triple, ice-reinforced fixed pitch propellers of 6.50 m diameter and with 27 MW each, powered by a 94 MW diesel-electric plant with one single centre line rudder. Minimum 4m tip clearance of the propeller to the shell to allow for undisturbed ice flow above the propellers. No appendages to obstruct the ice flow along the shell, especially when going astern. Propulsion and manoeuvering devices, as well as deep-sea multi-beam echo-sounders, to be free of ice during navigation ahead and astern. Most possible circular homogenous wake field in way of the propellers for minimized vibrations and best efficiency. Moderate specific load of the propellers in full power condition to avoid noise and cavitation. Good course- and sea keeping capabilities in open water. Avoidance of big masses at the extreme ends of the vessel for reasons of longitudinal moment of inertia.

Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

Good luck for the propulsion:

The operational icebreaking draught of 13.25 m allows for a significant submersion of the propellers, thus virtually no propeller/ice interaction:

Tip of propeller blade below water surface Minimum clearance of propeller tip to shell Main Propeller:

6.50 m 4.00 m

3 x 6.50 m Diameter / fixed pitch / 5-bladed P/D Ae/Ao Pd/Ao (full load icebreaking) N (15.5 knots) 1.060 90 % 800 kW/m 80 / min 680 t 17,000 kW 50,000 kW

Bollard Pull Transit Speed 15.5 knots Maximum Speed (blocked) 20.0 knots

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Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

Main Propulsion Arrangement

Inclination of side shaft lines to the centre line to prevent from ice blocking when going astern. Clearance between propeller and shell to allow for unobstructed ice flow. Electrical drives via gearboxes for weight and space reasons.

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Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

Main Propulsion Arrangement

Contours of ice-knifes edges indicated by white lines

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Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

Main Propulsion Arrangement

Flat buttocks for proper ice flow above the propellers

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Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

Station Keeping

AURORA BOREALIS is also designed to autonomously keep station as well in open water as in drifting level ice. Therefore, she is also equipped with six retractable nozzled transverse thrusters of 4.5 MW each. In order to conduct controlled ice breaking in DP-mode at very reduced speed, her main propeller and the six transverse thrusters push the ship against the ice until being closest to breaking it. Then a unique active ballast system gives the ship a pitching and rolling motion and in combination with her special hull form, the ice will be broken just in such a way that the breaking speed corresponds to the ice drifting speed. Thus the vessel can operate in DP-mode in drifting level ice keeping its position.

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Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

Model Tests

And the concept has of course been

extensively tested at Aker Arctic

... and the Hamburg Ship Model Basin,

at a total of 27 days in the ice tanks

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Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

Model Tests

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Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

Model Tests

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Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

Model Tests

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Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

Motion Management during Station Keeping

Controlled Icebreaking through Induced Harmonic Roll and Pitch Motions at very reduced relative speed

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Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

Conclusions

AURORA BOREALIS features a propulsion system which is governed by the following:

The special and individual tasks of the vessel and the thereof resulting displacement at a restricted length call for a significant draught and beam.

This draught and beam, appreciating the propulsion power requirements for ice breaking, and the provision of a 4m clearance between propeller tip and hull to avoid propeller/ice interaction, lead to a triple screw arrangement.

The triple screw arrangement allows for an acceptable propeller load, high flexibility and manoeuverability as well as to an increased redundancy in propulsion.

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Wrtsil August 12, 2010 European Research Icebreaker AURORA BOREALIS

Thank you for your attention!

Wrtsil Ship Design Germany GmbH Bernhard-Nocht-Strae 113 20359 Hamburg Germany

Phone: Fax:

+49 40 37 60 90 +49 40 37 33 15

E-mail: shipdesign.germany@wartsila.com Internet: www.wartsila.com/shipdesign