Objective
To equip a 4-6,000 ton motor ship with a complementary wind propulsion system consisting of 2 directional shallow cylinders (known as Cousteau-Malavard "turbo-sails"). Fuel savings of 15 to 30 % are envisaged, depending on wind conditions.
The background studies concerning turbo-sail optimization and vessel modifications have been terminated.
Neverthless, the demonstration has become less economically viable due to the drastic fall in oil prices which occurred in the beginning of 1986, thereby making the project unattractive for merchant ship owners.
The "turbo-sail" is an improved version of the rotating cylinder, moving on its axis in a fluid (Magnus effect) to avoid the inconvenience of cylinder rotation.
For a motor ship equipped with 2 such "turbo-sails" and moving at 12 knots with a 20-25 knot wind from any direction (average wind speed in the Channel, the North Atlantic and the North Sea) the net power generated by the "Turbo-sail" would be 1.68-2.63 KW/m2. Assuming a 2 x 100 m2 sail area, this would generate between 336 and 526 KW. For a cross wind (70-100 C) of 20-25 knots, the net power increases to 4.18-6.36 KW/m2 equivalent to 836-1,272 KW respectively. For an annual 240-day sailing operation, the saving in primary fuel would reach 528 TOE/yr for 20-25 knot wind coming from any direction.
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
DEM - Demonstration contractsCoordinator
75017 Paris
France