Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (HHI) has developed the first
Korean Dual-Fuel Diesel-Electric (DFDE) propulsion system for LNG
carriers.
The DFDE propulsion system uses either oil or gas, depending on the
situation. It uses an electric motor like large cruise ships and
submarines, not a steam turbine, which is the traditional propulsion
system for LNG carriers. The DFDE propulsion system improves fuel
efficiency, reacts quickly, and provides a smooth voyage.
HHI was guided by both environmental and economic requirements while
developing the Integrated Automation System, which includes the main
engine, the electric propulsion system, other control systems, and the
Ecobot. The Ecobot is the heart of the DFDE system, using any LNG gas
that evaporates during transit to fuel the main engine.
The DFDE propulsion system is expensive, costing roughly two to four
percent more than traditional steam-turbine propulsion systems; within
5 years, however, the savings in fuel costs will more than make up for
the initial extra cost. The DFDE system’s fuel efficiency is over ten
percent greater than traditional propulsion systems.
HHI has successfully built, and on July 2nd will deliver, a 155,000㎥
LNG carrier with a DFDE propulsion system. The ship, ordered by BP of
the United Kingdom, was named British Emerald.
British Emerald runs faster than traditional LNG carriers when using
the same amount of fuel, and when running at a speed of 20 knots, the
DFDE system reduces fuel consumption by 40 tons per day compared to a
steam-turbine propulsion ship, which uses 180 tons of fuel per day at
that speed.
“The biggest reason we chose the DFDE propulsion system was for the
environment. But it was a big adventure when we ordered it,” said Mr.
Adrian Howard, vice-chairman of technical management at BP.
“All LNG carriers had steam-turbine propulsion systems when we
received the order in 2004. It was exciting to get a chance to develop
the first alternative system with this order,” said an HHI
representative.
HHI received an order for six LNG carriers with DFDE propulsion
systems (including two ships for Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries) in
September, 2004. The first of the six ships completed, British
Emerald, is 288m in length, 44.2m in width, 26m in depth, and has a
service speed of 20 knots.
The development of the DFDE propulsion system is the result of 30
years of LNG carrier R&D experience. HHI began its research and
development on LNG carriers at the end of the 1970s, building the
world’s sixth, and Korea’s first, LNG carrier in 1990.
HHI plans to produce the duel-fuel engine and most of the core
equipment, including the electric motor, switchboard, and generator,
in Korea by 2008.
