New Auto Mode Detection Enhances Fuel Optimisation Decisions for OSVs
With oil companies putting more emphasis on fuel management in offshore support vessel (OSV) contracts, diesel power specialist Royston has extended the capability of its engine monitoring system with the introduction of a new auto-mode detection capability.
As a result, the enhanced system now provides more accurate monitoring of fuel consumption and emissions, enabling operators to identify the most economic ‘ecomode’ operational procedures.
The Royston enginei system uses volumetric and mass flow measurement to give vessel owners and operators detailed engine performance data, fuel optimisation rates and mission critical information.
As part of the system, the specific operational mode of the vessel has previously been indicated by manual notification into the system by a crew member. Some modes, such as ‘stand by’ and ‘transit’ are common to all vessels, whilst others are specific to certain types of craft, including ‘dynamic positioning’ by OSVs.
Fuel consumption and emissions levels are influenced by the specific activity being undertaken, along with speed and weather conditions. The accurate monitoring of performance during different modes can therefore have a significant impact of the economic operation of the vessel.
To meet this need, working with marine engineering specialists from Newcastle University, Royston has developed an upgraded version of the enginei fuel management system that utilises sophisticated data processing and statistical analysis to automatically identify the vessel’s operational mode.
By identifying individual operational modes automatically, the auto-mode capability removes the risk of human error introduced by the manual intervention of crew members and avoids the consequent risk of misinterpretation of engine and voyage data.
In this way, the automatic detection of operational modes enables more reliable vessel and engine performance data to be produced. This means that on board engineers and offshore fleet management staff have the ability to make more informed and accurate decisions based on trusted information on fuel consumption.
Royston’s engine fuel management system acquires comprehensive real time engine and vessel performance measurements beyond the usual RPM, GPS and fuel inputs to take in a range of other engine control unit outputs.
On board the vessel, touchscreen monitors on the bridge and in the engine control room show all aspects of key vessel criteria using displays and presentations of trending graphs against voyage data. The information captured on board is also available for remote interrogation by onshore management and supervisory staff through a secure online portal and web dashboard.
Damian McCann, product manager for enginei fuel management systems at Royston, said: “The auto mode detection capability eliminates the risk of human error and ensures the detailed and accurate monitoring of engine performance and fuel consumption.”
“For example, different members of the crew may recognise or register different operational modes based on their relative experience or there may be time delays in logging manual changes to the type of activity being undertaken.”
“This can cause data entry errors, leading to inaccuracies in the interpretation of performance data provided. With the new auto mode detection capability, this risk is eliminated, leading to more accurate and meaningful engine monitoring, from which key operational decisions can be made.”
The enginei integrated fuel management system is compatible with all marine engine types and can be interfaced with new-build engine installations or retrofitted to operating vessels. Full details at www.enginei.co.uk
Development work with GulfMark
Development of the advanced new auto-mode system has included trials undertaken in partnership with offshore fleet services company GulfMark, using its Highland Prince OSV which has a diesel electric propulsion system with four main Caterpillar engines and two auxiliary engines.
In tests undertaken with the vessel, engine and fuel data enabled performance comparisons to be made between crew-activated operational modes and the automatic predicted mode.
Engine and other sensor data is collected and analysed by the system to develop control limits for different operational modes, and these profiles are used to automatically identify changes in the operational behaviour of the vessel as they occur.
Jim Bradford, general manager of operations for GulfMark, said: “The tests we have undertaken on the new enginei auto-mode detection capability have been very successful. Auto mode identification was very accurate, enabling close correlation of different vessel operational activities with specific fuel consumption rates.”
“The automatic logging of vessel activity type will mean that the crew and onshore staff can identify not only the mode of operation but the time spent in each mode.”
For example, Highland Prince voyage data showed that 52% of vessel time was spent in transit, 5% in port, 23% in dynamic positioning mode and 20% spent in standby mode waiting to access the offshore installation.
Jim Bradford said: “Auto-mode will allow better voyage planning with optimum speeds and fuel consumptions achieved during transit. By arriving on time at eco speeds this will ultimately contribute to reducing not only the transit consumption but also the stand-by time at the installation and consequently the fuel burnt when in standby mode.”
“In addition, the conversion of the fuel consumption data will also enable accurate CO2 and other emissions levels to be calculated and operational adjustments to be made.”
“Importantly, having more accurate performance data will also enable us to look at the actual working hours of individual engines, enabling us to more effectively balance their use at optimal levels of power output and to prioritise service and condition-based maintenance requirements.”
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Source: Royston
