METHODS OF REDUCTION OF FUEL CONSUMPTION AS MEANS FOR CO2 EMITTED BY SEAGOING SHIPS MINIMISING

Abstract

The subject of paper is to focus the problem of carbon dioxide emission from seagoing ships. The paper presents analysis of possibilities of fuel consumption minimizing and this way reduction of carbon dioxide emission from seagoing ships. However, The VI Amendment to MARPOL Convention concerning prevention against air pollution by seagoing ships did not take into consideration carbon dioxide emission, the importance of this problem was perceived by international organizations among others by IMO. As a result corrections in VI Amendment to MARPOL Convention were introduced thus forcing reduction of CO2 emission by seagoing ships. Among means reducing emission of carbon dioxide into atmosphere the following are mentioned: construction modifications of new built ships i.e. reduction of ship speed, optimization of main engine and propeller selection, optimization of ship hull shape, application of resistance reducing hull coatings, use of alternative (ecological) fuels and utilization of propulsion plant waste heat. In turn, for ships already in operation methods for fuel consumption and carbon dioxide reduction can be individual for each ship full monitoring of main engine operational parameters and measurement of waste heat utilization rate. According to opinion of paper authors, the minimizing of carbon dioxide reduction can be mainly achieved by utilisation of exhaust gases heat for electric power production in steam turbo alternators running in one- or two stage steam pressure systems. The analysis executed in the paper of one- and two stage steam system advantages shows that one stage steam system is more economically profitable in practice application.