GREEN ENERGY FROM BALLAST WATER

By Dhakshina Perera
Green power in the ships industry Despite ships running more efficiently than in previous times, new requirements like Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) are coming into force, with the view to conserve energy and reduce emissions. Green energy is the best solution for this problem. The

following concept was derived in order to provide a solution for this problem by using potential energy stored in ballast water.
Ballast water on board
Ships take ballast water in and out throughout their lifetime. The size of the ships are getting bigger as does the size of the ballast tanks, with an increase in the volume of water they carry. As per ballast water exchange requirements ballast tanks will face frequent ballast water transferring. The energy stored within a ballast tank in considerable given the amount of water within a ballast tank. Energy of the ballast water Most of the time ballast tanks are filled in full so as to eliminate the free surface effect. Once in the dynamic conditions (once the vessel is in the sea) this huge volume of ballast water shifts even for a small rolling or pitching motion. When the tank is in full condition, water tends to move up and down in the narrow vent pipes, with large motion, generating a considerable amount of energy.

Harnessing the ballast water energy A study can be carried out to determine the movement of water by fitting a flow meter to a vent pipe, through which the amount of energy which can be harnessed can be ascertained. This motion of water in a vent pipe can be used to generate electricity through the means of using an impeller system.

Generator installation in to existing ships and new buildings Please refer FIG (1a)and FIG(1b), where it is shown how a generator can be installed on top of an existing air vent, by doing a small modification to the existing ballast tank air vents while preserving the weather tightness. The shaft of the generator will be sent through the vent pipe, where the impellers will fit in.

FIG(1a)

FIG(1b)

Flow of the water and the air As the ship roll and pitch, the water column inside the vent pipe will move up and down, as will the air column inside; therefore, two impeller systems needs to be installed to compensate for each water and air column - please see Fig(2a) and Fig(2b)

FIG(2a)

FIG(2b)

Direction of rotation In order for the impellers to rotate in the same direction regardless of the bidirectional flow of water and air, the pitch of the blades should changed around its own axis, which can be achieved through a simple pivoting mechanism. Please see Fig(3a) and fig(3b)

FIG(3a)

FIG(3b)

Ballast Vs. Loaded voyage During the loaded voyage, although the ships ballast tanks are mostly empty, some tanks may carrying ballast.(ex-heeling tanks, permanent ballast tanks). Even in slack tanks, water movement and the air column movement exists. Energy Generation Vs. Cost of installation A separate study needs to be carried out. Request industry experts comment on this. Energy storing Once the energy has been harnessed as electricity, it can be stored using present-day, efficient, energy storing methods.