After detailed studies and deep technical discussions, Brunvoll is ready for major propulsion upgrades for two of Utkilen AS’s ice-classed vessels. Thorough work by Brunvoll’s hydrodynamicists and service professionals has resulted in a streamlined retrofit design.
Utkilen’s investment will enable a larger saving in fuel and emissions through the vessel’s remaining lifetime.
Substantial upgrades
The two vessels, Golfstraum and Rystraum, will receive substantial upgrades by Brunvoll, including a new gear transition, overhaul, and a redesign of propeller blades.
The final selection of optimised propeller revolution speed and blade design has been subject to an extensive analysis by Brunvoll, and in good cooperation with Becker Marine Systems, who supplies the Becker Mewis Duct®, for both vessels. The project is one of several of Utkilen’s investments in operational improvements, which have ranged across their entire fleet.
Decarbonisation strategy
Carl Ove Utkilen, Project Manager at Utkilen, comments from the owner’s perspective; “At Utkilen, we are committed to decarbonising our fleet. A crucial aspect of our decarbonisation strategy is to maximise the energy efficiency of our vessels, thereby reducing our future dependence on alternative fuels, which require substantial green energy to produce."
"Our current focus is on identifying and implementing energy-saving devices and technologies across our fleet, while closely monitoring developments in the alternative fuel and propulsion sectors.”
Energy savings
“For our vessels Golfstraum and Rystraum we have collaborated with Brunvoll to redesign our propellers and gears. Additionally, we will be installing Becker Mewis Ducts® on these vessels, provided by Becker Marine Services," stated Carl OveUtkilen, Project Manager at Utkilen AS.
"This simultaneous design process for the propeller and the water flow towards the propeller, achieved through the cooperation of all parties, has demonstrated higher overall savings in our simulations compared to designing them separately. We are enthusiastic about this project and anticipate significant fuel consumption savings following the installation."
Redesigned propeller blades
As part of the retrofit, the vessels will have a reduction in ice class and a new optimised vessel speed
As part of the retrofit, the vessels will have a reduction in ice class and a new optimised vessel speed. Combined, the changed operating service speed, the reduction gear upgrade, and the redesigned propeller blades with new inflow have a larger emission-saving potential than what each upgrade could have provided separately.
In other words, 2+2 is more than 4 in this case. This better total is a result of the continuous optimised water flow toward the redesigned propeller blades. Brunvoll and Becker have cooperated closely and performed several rounds of iteration to reach the final design.
Propeller improvements
The upgrades are set to take place during the autumn of 2024 and spring of 2025. Brunvoll will take the lead on the upgrade process for both vessels and according to Mads Egseth Melbø, who is Sales Manager Retrofit in Brunvoll, it will be a huge overtaking.
“We will open the vessel up from the side to a larger gear overhaul and change of gear ratio. Thereafter, the propeller improvements will take place. We look forward to seeing the upgraded vessels in action and are excited to follow up withUtkilen on operational results.”