Analysis of fuel consumption of modern electronically controlled high-speed marine engines

Abstract

The paper presents thermal tests of modern electronically controlled high-speed main engines of Caterpillar 3500 series of marine vessels. During the thermotechnical tests, experimental studies were carried out to change the values of the actual fuel consumption depending on the engine load. The number of engines under study installed on sea tugs during 10 years of operation was 80 units. The accumulated experience in conducting experimental studies of the technical condition control by the CIP method of diagnostics will make it possible to move from the classical approaches of technical operation to the new ones included in the system of remote monitoring and control of ship technical means of autonomous ships in operation. The experimental research methodology includes a classic approach to conducting such tests and a modern approach with remote data transmission to the shipowner’s office. Studies have shown that different types of 3500 series engines have different actual fuel consumption values, but for each series, for example, 3512B, the scatter of points is small. The results of experimental studies of Caterpillar 3500 series engines made it possible to construct generalized dependences of the actual fuel consumption for each engine model separately. Experimental studies of ship technical means by the CIP method of diagnostics of sea vessels in operation are the basis for the control system of autonomous ships.