Special edition: TRIALITY. - Taking environmental and economical performance a long step forward: Innovate or die -- Natural gas fuelled VLCC -- The ballast-free ship.
Text and photos: Magne A. Røe, except where otherwise stated.
Data: 7 grudnia 2010
DNV’s Triality innovation project has produced a VLCC that fulfils three main goals: it is environmentally superior to conventional VLCCs, has technically feasible solutions and is more economical than conventional VLCCs.
In 1954, DNV established its first research department with the sole objective of transforming itself from an imitator into an innovator in ship classification. The result was a shift away from empirical rules to a science-based rule set.
What are the main challenges facing VLCC operations in the years to come? The conclusion arrived at was improved environmental performance.
Last August, DNV started an internal fast track innovation project. The task was to develop a concept VLCC which was environmentally superior to and more economical than conventional VLCC designs, all based on technically feasible solutions.
In order to measure the economic and environmental performance of the Triality VLCC, an operating profile representing the expected sailing patterns of both Triality and the baseline conventional VLCC is needed. With the forthcoming introduction of ECAs and the use of LNG as fuel, operating profiles based on historical data could prove to be inaccurate.
Two large deck tanks inside deck houses on the tank deck are the most visible difference between a conventional VLCC and Triality. But the resulting emissions reductions are even more remarkable!
A conventional VLCC uses ballast water for two different parts of its operations. In unloaded transit condition, the ballast is needed to obtain both a fully submerged propeller and enough forward draft to avoid bottom slamming. During cargo operations, ballast water is used to reduce bending moments and compensate for trim and heel.
Using low-temperature LNG to increase efficiency and minimise cargo losses to the atmosphere
The competitiveness of LNG vs. fuel oil will improve with stricter environmental requirements
The shipping industry is facing an increasing demand to reduce its environmental footprint. For ships built before 2016, the present challenge is to comply with ballast water and emission requirements. For a conventional VLCC burning heavy fuel oil (HFO), installing an exhaust gas scrubber and a ballast water treatment system (BWTS) are possible ways to address these issues.
The project has studied a VLCC size tanker. What about smaller tankers?
