Waste heat recovery system orders for ABB

The first seven post-Panamax vessels will be built at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. Ltd., (DSIC) and the other seven at New Times Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., for China International Marine Containers Group Co. and Mediterranean Shipping Co. S.A (MSC). When delivered, in 2015 and 2016, the ships will serve under a long-term charter agreement to MSC.

The employment of a waste heat recovery system (WHRS) to increase energy output onboard ships is becoming an increasingly viable means of reducing fuel costs. In marine propulsion plants, around 50% or more of the energy from fuel is lost to heat when converted to mechanical work by the main engine. By supplementing a ship’s main propulsion plant with a waste heat recovery solution, up to 4% of the lost fuel energy can be recovered and converted into electricity. More efficient energy use also reduces CO₂ emissions in relation to the engine’s mechanical power output.

ABB’s scope of supply in the waste heat recovery system with a PTG consists of a PTL 3200 exhaust power turbine with control valves, alternator, reduction gear and dynamic compensator consisting of an ACS800 drive with a (step down) feed transformer and a breaking resistor bank. The package also includes two A185-L turbochargers. The electrical output of the system is 1.65 megawatt (MW).