Author(s)

Samson Nitonye, Sidum Adumene, Ukpokpo Umorami Howells

Department of Marine Engineering, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

The aim of this project is to design and analyze the propulsion system for a tugboat for optimum performance. In so doing, certain approved procedures were followed; these procedures included getting the desired tugboat dimension, using ITTC methods, Gertlers charts, Bp charts etc. to estimate the bare hull resistance of the tugboat, estimating the effective power that must be employed to overcome this tug resistance. Numerical software code was developed to determine the various performance indicators of the propulsion system. The effective power was used as a basis for selecting the main engine and designing of a suitable propeller capable of propelling the tugboat for the various sea state were evaluated. Propeller cavitation was also put into consideration during this design. Hence in matching the engine to the propeller a series of calculations were done across a speed range of 300 - 500 rpm in other to effectively ascertain the engine-propeller matching point. The result shows that the point of engine-propeller matching is at 335 rpm and 2550 KW respectively. This provides a guide for the selection of a main engine with an acceptable sea service margins. All designs were done in accordance to classification organization and regulations.

Tugboat, Propulsion System, Engines, Resistance, Effective Power, Speed

Nitonye, S. , Adumene, S. and Howells, U. (2017) Numerical Design and Performance Analysis of a Tug Boat Propulsion System. Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, 5, 80-98. doi: 10.4236/jpee.2017.511007.