SHIP PERFORMANCE/HEAT BALANCE MONITORING

A description is given of a shipboard system developed by the Maritek company for providing accurate and immediate information on the energy flow from "fuel oil input to ship speed" and the corresponding efficiencies of main engine, propeller and hull, for ships in service. In the case of Diesel main engines, the company has concentrated on the accuracy of recording fuel flow to the engine and the measurement of shp. For steam turbine installations, a heat balance monitoring program is prepared, for each individual ship, for use with a desk-top computer. The system includes the Maritek torque, thrust and power meter , and a mechanical flow meter with an electronic pulse-generator; ship speed is taken from a Doppler log. Information from the various sources is fed on-line to a desk-top computer via a digital converter, and various types of output can be selected. The system's capabilities include the checking of hull fouling and correctness of engine loading; continuous information on fuel consumption per n. mile is available, enabling optimum trim conditions at different draughts and engine loads to be established. The paper includes examples of the various print-outs obtainable.