Jonathan Binns

The 'W' prawn-trawl with emphasised drag-force transfer to its centre line to reduce overall system drag

For prawn trawling systems, drag reduction is a high priority as the trawling process is energy intensive. Large benefits have occurred through the use of multiple-net rigs and thin twine in the netting. An additional positive effect of these successful twine-area reduction strategies is the reduced amount of otter board area required to spread the trawl systems, which leads to further drag reduction. The present work investigated the potential of redirecting the drag-strain within a prawn trawl away from the wings and the otter boards to the centre line of the trawl, where top and bottom tongues have been installed, with an aim to minimise the loading/size of the otter boards required to spread the trawl. In the system containing the new ‘W’ trawl, the drag redirected to the centre-line tongues is transferred forward through a connected sled and towing wires to the trawler. To establish the extent of drag redirection to the centre-line tongues and the relative drag benefits of the new trawl system, conventional and ‘W’ trawls of 3.65 m headline length were tested firstly over a range of spread ratios in the flume tank, and subsequently at optimum spread ratio in the field. The developed ‘W’ trawl effectively directed 64% of netting-drag off the wings and onto the centre tongues, which resulted in drag savings in the field of ∼20% for the associated ‘W’ trawl/otter-board/sled system compared to the traditional trawl/otter-board arrangement in a single trawl or twin rig configuration. Furthermore, based on previously published data, the new trawl when used in a twin rig system is expected to provide approximately 12% drag reduction compared to quad rig. The twin ‘W’ trawl system also has benefits over quad rig in that a reduced number of cod-end/By-catch Reduction Device units need to be installed and attended each tow.

A Novel Method for Generating Continuously Surfable Waves: Comparison of Predictions With Experimental Results

In this paper, a novel idea to produce continuous breaking waves is discussed, whereby a pressure source is rotated within an annular wave pool. The concept is that the inner ring of the annulus has a sloping bathymetry to induce wave breaking from the wake of the pressure source. In order to refine the technique, work is being conducted to better understand the mechanics of surfable waves generated by moving pressure sources in restricted water. This paper reports on the first stage of an experimental investigation of a novel method for generating continuously surfable waves utilising a moving pressure source. The aim was to measure and assess the waves generated by two parabolic pressure sources and a wavedozer [I] for their suitability for future development of continuous breaking surfable waves. The tests were conducted at the Australian Maritime College (AMC), University of Tasmania (UTas) 100 metre long towing tank. The experimental results as variations in wave height ( H ) divided by water depth ( h ) as functions of depth Froude number ( Fr h ) and h , together with predictions from both methods, are presented in this paper. Finally, measures of the wave making energy efficiency of each pressure source, and the surfable quality of the waves generated by it, were developed and are presented.

Wave-Induced Motions of Gas Cat: A Novel Catamaran for Gas Processing and Offloading

The preliminary development of the novel concept of using a large catamaran, known as Gas Cat, as a floating natural gas processing and offloading facility is outlined. The proposed system is based on two ship-shaped hulls joined by a spanning superstructure. For off-loading purposes a carrier may dock with or be tethered to the catamaran. A concept design has been developed based on two retrofitted VLCCs allowing for the processing and storage of 1 × 10 6 bbls of condensate and approximately 240,000 m 3 of liquefied natural gas. A key aspect of the development of this concept is the accurate estimation of the motions of the catamaran in a variety of operational scenarios. Model experiments were conducted in the Model Test Basin of the Australian Maritime College using a 1:78 scale model of two full-form hulls converted into a catamaran configuration. Tests were conducted in head, beam, and oblique seas for two hull spacings and a range of wave heights. The experimental results show that for the range of wave conditions tested good linearity of the motions can be expected with respect to wave height. An increase in demihull separation was found to significantly reduce the sway, heave, and roll motions in beam seas. However, a change in demihull separation had little influence on the motions in oblique seas. A change in heading angle from head seas to beam seas significantly increased the sway, heave, and roll motions while reducing pitch motions. Bow quartering seas were seen to be the worst heading angle for yaw. The results from the experiments allowed the expected motions of the Gas Cat to be determined in extreme weather conditions.

Emerging technologies in marine electric propulsion

Increasing fuel costs and regulation of emissions are encouraging operators, shipbuilders and researchers to seek improvements in marine vessel efficiency. In the area of vessel electrical systems, there are increasing choices as a result of research and development over the past decade giving rise to a number of promising new technologies. Promising new battery chemistries are being developed and existing chemistries are being enhanced with nano-technology. Supercapacitors and fuel cells are now powering ferries. Permanent magnets are enabling novel motor topologies and solar panel prices are decreasing. In addition to new technologies recently commercialised for vessels, new developments in electric vehicles and grid electrical systems will be applicable to the marine environment. This article reviews emerging electrical technologies and it focusses on those with potential for improving vessel efficiency within the next decade.

A Novel Method for Generating Continuously Surfable Waves—Comparison of Predictions With Experimental Results

In this paper, a novel idea to produce continuous breaking waves is discussed, whereby a pressure source is rotated within an annular wave pool, with the inner ring of the annulus having a sloping bathymetry to induce wave breaking. In order to refine the technique, work is being conducted to better understand the mechanics of surfable waves generated by moving pressure sources in restricted water. The pool aims to be capable of creating waves suitable for surfers from beginner to expert level, with an added benefit being by providing a safe learning environment, the overall surfing ability of the participants should be improved. The method of approach reported in this paper is the first stage of an experimental investigation of a novel method for generating continuously surfable waves utilizing a moving pressure source. The aim was to measure and assess the waves generated by two parabolic pressure sources and a wedge-shaped wavedozer (Driscoll, A., and Renilson, M. R., 1980, The Wavedozer. A System of Generating Stationary Waves in a Circulating Water Channel, University of Glasgow, Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Glasgow, UK) for their suitability for future development of continuous breaking surfable waves. The tests were conducted at the University of Tasmania (UTas) Australian Maritime College (AMC) 100 m long towing tank. The predictions and experimental results for the wave height (H) at different values of depth Froude number (Frh) are presented in this paper. Finally, the preferred pressure source is determined based on the wave making energy efficiency and the quality of the waves for surfing.

The Formation of Surfable Waves in a Circular Wave Pool: Comparison of Numerical and Experimental Approaches

This paper investigates the capability of a numerical approach to address the problem of designing a wave pool. The numerical approach developed has the potential to reduce the number of design alternatives which require testing by eliminating poor performing designs early in the design cycle. For the three dimensional computations in the present study, the CFD software FLUENT (which solves the RANS equations with finite-volume approach and uses the volume of fluid technique to simulate the free-surface motion) was utilized. Pressure source models in straight and round tracks were simulated. Predicted results agreed closely with experiment data. Copyright

Time-frequency analysis of ship wave patterns in shallow water: modelling and experiments

A spectrogram of a ship wake is a heat map that visualises the time-dependent frequency spectrum of surface height measurements taken at a single point as the ship travels by. Spectrograms are easy to compute and, if properly interpreted, have the potential to provide crucial information about various properties of the ship in question. Here we use geometrical arguments and analysis of an idealised mathematical model to identify features of spectrograms, concentrating on the effects of a finite-depth channel. Our results depend heavily on whether the flow regime is subcritical or supercritical. To support our theoretical predictions, we compare with data taken from experiments we conducted in a model test basin using a variety of realistic ship hulls. Finally, we note that vessels with a high aspect ratio appear to produce spectrogram data that contains periodic patterns. We can reproduce this behaviour in our mathematical model by using a so-called two-point wavemaker. These results highlight the role of wave interference effects in spectrograms of ship wakes.

The effect of angle of attack on the generated wave propagation

The presented work is an experimental investigation into the waves generated by a pressure source moving in a straight channel. Wave fields generated by the moving pressure source are described and the effects of angle of attack on the generated wave height, surfable wave quality, drag and vertical forces are presented. The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the angle of attack and the generated wave height across the towing tank width and the surfable wave quality. The investigations were conducted at the Australian Maritime College towing tank on a wavedozer at four different attack angles at various speeds. Three wave probes were installed across the channel to record the generated wave heights. Based on the experimental results, it was concluded that smaller angles of attack produced higher quality surfable waves compared to larger angles of attack, while the height of the generated wave has a direct relationship with the angle of attack. By comparing the forces for different models, it was concluded that the pressure source with the lowest angle of attack has the minimum drag but maximum displacement.

Wave-piercing catamaran transom stern ventilation process

The new class of highly fuel-efficient medium-speed catamarans operate at speeds where the transom is partially or fully ventilated, hence it is important to understand the characteristics of the wake for resistance prediction. Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes simulations were used to simulate the flow around a 98 m catamaran, at both model and full scale, and compared to model test results for a 1:22 scale model. A non-shedding squashed horseshoe vortex was found to build up in the stagnant zone past the vessel, with the transom running dry at transom draft Froude numbers of 2.5 in model test experiments and at transom draft Froude numbers of 2.4 in numerical simulations. For full-scale Reynolds numbers, ventilation occurred at transom draft Froude numbers of 2.2. Finally, unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes simulations are capable of accurately predicting the recirculating flow in the wake of the vessel and the state of transom ventilation.

The dawning of the age of high-efficiency vessels

Abstract Transport depends on crude oil as a source of fuel for trucks, trains and ships and bitumen for roads. Europe has shown that even with a strong commitment to emission reduction, transport Green House Gas emissions will continue to rise relative to other sectors. As Australia’s freight task increases and as fuel supply risks increase, the need for change is also increasing. Investment will be required in transport fleet expansion and replacement, meaning that now is an opportune time to review our transport paradigm. Sea transport is no different to road, rail and air in its ability to leverage improvements in engine efficiency, materials, logistics management, control systems, renewable fuels, hybrid, solar and energy storage technologies. However, sea transport has two unique advantages over other transport modes: a low cost of infrastructure and the capability of harnessing wind by direct conversion of kinetic energy. The development of high-efficiency vessels and market drivers are close to a tipping point for rapid evolution. A possible step in this evolution is the development and application of high-efficiency vessel technologies to improve the sustainability of remote communities and the tourism industry. This would have strong synergies with the Australian high-speed shipbuilding industry’s world market leadership.