Chinese shipbuilder reveals breakthrough technology

[Lightningbolt]

One of China's major shipbuilders said it has developed cutting-edge propulsion technology that will bring the nation closer to its goal of modernizing its shipping and naval fleets.

China Shipbuilding Industry Corp said its Wuhan Institute of Marine Electric Propulsion finalized its integrated electric propulsion technology in mid-July. It said the in-house development will help the nation wean itself off the longstanding dependence on imported parts in manufacturing ships.

Most surface vessels in China use mechanical transmissions and are propelled by a motor or an engine spinning a propeller. Many Western countries have adopted integrated electric propulsion, in which gas turbines or diesel generators produce electricity that powers electric motors.

"Chinese ships usually use steam engines, multiple-stroke diesel engines or gas turbine engines," said Wang Dan, deputy editor-in-chief of Modern Ships magazine. "Chinese navy ships that need to reach fast speeds would have 'combined diesel or gas' propulsion systems."

The development of integrated electric propulsion may resolve engine problems that have long haunted the nation and its navy. One of the major issues has been a lack of domestic companies who can make gas turbine engines to support long distance voyages.

Without domestically developed gas turbine engines, the Chinese navy has been forced to import foreign engines for its ships, said a military expert who did not want to be named. And until an electric propulsion engine is more widely available in China, most ships must run on an engine fueled by diesel and gas.

"Compared with other drive methods, integrated electric propulsion has many advantages. It can save more space and is easier to control. It helps reduce a ship's weight and noise," Wang said. "It also enables ships to cruise at a faster speed and for a longer time."

The new technology is also easier to operate and maintain, he said.

"Now with the achievement made by our technicians, we are seeing an opportunity to narrow the gap with Western naval powers. The British navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier and the United States navy's Zumwalt-class destroyers, which are all under construction, will use the new electric propulsion technology, which means we must accelerate our development (of the technology) if we don't want to fall behind in building advanced ships."

The HMS Queen Elizabeth, which is scheduled to commence sea trials in 2017, will be the first carrier in the world to adopt integrated electric propulsion.

Wang said it is important for China to improve its vessels' propulsion systems and invest more to develop reliable gas turbine engines for battleships before integrated electric propulsion can be put into wide use.

China in recent years has made a great deal of effort to modernize its naval and shipping fleet and to design new propulsion engines.

China Shipbuilding Industry Corp said in February that one of its research institutions received State approval and funding to formally begin research on core technologies for nuclear-powered ships.

Chinese shipbuilder reveals breakthrough technology|Society|chinadaily.com.cn

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Yeah, i heard this news few days ago, it suggests that the propulsion of the new Type 054B will be electric just like the British Type 045 DDG.

 

[cirr]

IEP system with 20MW-output induction motor，same as the one adopted onboard UK‘s Type-45 DDG

Gas turbines are used to generate high voltage electrical current to feed two advanced induction motors，thereby providing 54000 hp of propulsion，enough for a 7000-ton warship to achieve top speed of 30-knots or more。

 

[Coltsfan]

Wait....... so the so called "breakthrough technology" is China catching up to an existing technology?

htf is that a breakthrough?

 

[cirr]

Wait....... so the so called "breakthrough technology" is China catching up to an existing technology?

htf is that a breakthrough?

It is a breakthrough for China。

Do you have any problem with that？Where does India stand？Still using cows that loiter on your dirty streets？

Yeah, i heard this news few days ago, it suggests that the propulsion of the new Type 054B will be electric just like the British Type 045 DDG.

It is understood that the same team is also working on induction motors with 40MW of outputs each。

Hope they can get it done ASAP（3 years？5 years？）。

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

When China developed it, then it gonna be affordable for many developing nations.

It is good news for the Pakistani Navy, the Type 054B with electric propulsion could be a good choice for its future option.

 

[Coltsfan]

It is a breakthrough for China。

Oh so its like buying a used car and calling a new car........ its new to me

Chinese logic at its finest!

 

[VelocuR]

One of China's major shipbuilders said it has developed cutting-edge propulsion technology that will bring the nation closer to its goal of modernizing its shipping and naval fleets.

China Shipbuilding Industry Corp said its Wuhan Institute of Marine Electric Propulsion finalized its integrated electric propulsion technology in mid-July. It said the in-house development will help the nation wean itself off the longstanding dependence on imported parts in manufacturing ships.

Most surface vessels in China use mechanical transmissions and are propelled by a motor or an engine spinning a propeller. Many Western countries have adopted integrated electric propulsion, in which gas turbines or diesel generators produce electricity that powers electric motors.

"Chinese ships usually use steam engines, multiple-stroke diesel engines or gas turbine engines," said Wang Dan, deputy editor-in-chief of Modern Ships magazine. "Chinese navy ships that need to reach fast speeds would have 'combined diesel or gas' propulsion systems."

The development of integrated electric propulsion may resolve engine problems that have long haunted the nation and its navy. One of the major issues has been a lack of domestic companies who can make gas turbine engines to support long distance voyages.

Without domestically developed gas turbine engines, the Chinese navy has been forced to import foreign engines for its ships, said a military expert who did not want to be named. And until an electric propulsion engine is more widely available in China, most ships must run on an engine fueled by diesel and gas.

"Compared with other drive methods, integrated electric propulsion has many advantages. It can save more space and is easier to control. It helps reduce a ship's weight and noise," Wang said. "It also enables ships to cruise at a faster speed and for a longer time."

The new technology is also easier to operate and maintain, he said.

"Now with the achievement made by our technicians, we are seeing an opportunity to narrow the gap with Western naval powers. The British navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier and the United States navy's Zumwalt-class destroyers, which are all under construction, will use the new electric propulsion technology, which means we must accelerate our development (of the technology) if we don't want to fall behind in building advanced ships."

The HMS Queen Elizabeth, which is scheduled to commence sea trials in 2017, will be the first carrier in the world to adopt integrated electric propulsion.

Wang said it is important for China to improve its vessels' propulsion systems and invest more to develop reliable gas turbine engines for battleships before integrated electric propulsion can be put into wide use.

China in recent years has made a great deal of effort to modernize its naval and shipping fleet and to design new propulsion engines.

China Shipbuilding Industry Corp said in February that one of its research institutions received State approval and funding to formally begin research on core technologies for nuclear-powered ships.

Chinese shipbuilder reveals breakthrough technology|Society|chinadaily.com.cn

Great news, keep it up!

 

[sms]

Chinese shipbuilder reveals breakthrough technology|Society|chinadaily.com.cn

This is indeed a good development. But I've few layman's level question.
Previously - Gas turbine produce mechanical power to spin propellers - direct transfer of force more efficient
Now - Gas turbine rotate electric generators to produce electricity which is used by electric motors to spin propellers - If we factor in efficiency of different step it does not sounds like an efficient solution, unless there are other advantages.

What I see that Gas turbine is the most efficient method to propel a ship. Can you a knowledgeable member list advantages (except noise reduction) of using less efficient (from energy conversion process prospective)?

 

[Akasa]

Wait....... so the so called "breakthrough technology" is China catching up to an existing technology?

htf is that a breakthrough?

It's the same logic when the first nuclear submarine was a "breakthrough" even though nuclear reactors existed long before.

 

[gambit]

Wait....... so the so called "breakthrough technology" is China catching up to an existing technology?

htf is that a breakthrough?

It's the same logic when the first nuclear submarine was a "breakthrough" even though nuclear reactors existed long before.

Overly simplistic and grossly inadequate to answer the question, which IS a legitimate question.

Yes, nuclear reaction predate the nuclear reactor, which is the containment and sustainment of a nuclear chain reaction. Yes, the nuclear reactor predate the installment of the same into mobile vessel, the submarine, for example. But the installment of the nuclear reactor into a ship is not the technological breakthrough.

Do you know what was?

 

[Anubis]

A technological breakthrough would be a jet fighter powered by nuclear thermal rockets!Come on China....Here's your chance to beat the USA!

 

[Lightningbolt]

Overly simplistic and grossly inadequate to answer the question, which IS a legitimate question.

Yes, nuclear reaction predate the nuclear reactor, which is the containment and sustainment of a nuclear chain reaction. Yes, the nuclear reactor predate the installment of the same into mobile vessel, the submarine, for example. But the installment of the nuclear reactor into a ship is not the technological breakthrough.

Do you know what was?

We now have the same technology that the US has. We have developed it ourselves and don't need to import foreign components and won't be hijacked by foreign suppliers.

We have caught up in another area. That's the breakthrough for China.

We don't give a damn what you think. Our military is not there to prove sh*t to chicks like you. Our military is there to build the most advanced weapons to protect Chinese interests globally and reclaim our position as the most powerful country.

 

[gambit]

This is indeed a good development. But I've few layman's level question.
Previously - Gas turbine produce mechanical power to spin propellers - direct transfer of force more efficient
Now - Gas turbine rotate electric generators to produce electricity which is used by electric motors to spin propellers - If we factor in efficiency of different step it does not sounds like an efficient solution, unless there are other advantages.

What I see that Gas turbine is the most efficient method to propel a ship. Can you a knowledgeable member list advantages (except noise reduction) of using less efficient (from energy conversion process prospective)?

You are correct that direct connection/transfer of mechanical forces is the most efficient, even if we take into account gears to step up/down the final drive. However, electrical wires offers one advantage that is tough to beat: flexibility.

You can place the engine that supply the electrical power and the final drive anywhere you like. Another advantage is that you will require one or more less engines to supply electrical power to the entire vessel. It is like one engine to drive the ship and other smaller engines to supply electrical power.

 

[sms]

However, electrical wires offers one advantage that is tough to beat: flexibility.

You can place the engine that supply the electrical power and the final drive anywhere you like. Another advantage is that you will require one or more less engines to supply electrical power to the entire vessel. It is like one engine to drive the ship and other smaller engines to supply electrical power.

Agree!! it seems the advantages of using electric motors overides the energy losses vs direct mechanical coupling method!!

You are correct that direct connection/transfer of mechanical forces is the most efficient, even if we take into account gears to step up/down the final drive.

We are talking about losses --
1. Mechanical energy transfer from turbine to alternator/ generators
2. Energy loss (efficiency) at generators- conversion rate in range of 60~80% of energy supplied
3. Efficiency of motors (% of KW supplied converted into mechanical force, adding gears means More losses)

So over it looks like a very inefficient process of converting available mechanical force to electricity and again to mechanical force to propel ship.

So I'm not able to understand how Chinese can achieve better speed and acceleration (as per article) keeping same gas turbine as it will result in less HP compare to current method. Unless they use bigger turbine but at the end od day you'll always get more power, speed, acceleration using direct coupling method.