Finland’s VTT is collaborating with industry partners on the UltraPropulsor Co-Innovation project which is seeking to demonstrate that propulsion and hull design can significantly reduce shipping emissions and lower underwater noise, reads an official press release.
UltraPropulsor Co-Innovation project
Business Finland has allocated €4.5 million to the project, with VTT receiving a €1.2 million share. VTT is contributing its expertise in hydrodynamics expertise and materials science to the project.
The industry partners in the project are ABB, Foreship, ATA Gears and Composite Solutions and Innovations, while VTT is acting as a research partner supporting the research needs of the other companies.
Hydrodynamic research for new solutions
The main focus areas of the research project include hydrodynamic research to demonstrate the feasibility of new solutions by numerical modelling and experiments, and material research to develop methods for strength assessment of propeller blades. The initiative will also look at life cycle costs, manufacturability, and material properties, especially fatigue strength and corrosion resistance in operational conditions
Research scientist Ilkka Perälä, who is leading the project at VTT, commented: ‘The main goal of the research project is to significantly increase the propulsive efficiency of ships by developing new propulsion concepts. Increase in propulsive efficiency leads directly to lower fuel consumption and lower emissions.
‘Concurrently we are looking for solutions to lower the underwater radiated noise of ships.’
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Source: VTT
