A new way of sailing in Danube delta.

Nicolaie, Sergiu ; Mihaiescu, Mihai ; Marin, Dorian 等

1. INTRODUCTION

The boat achieved (1), (2) on the research project no. X2C17 (CEEX-Amtrans) has provided during the testing period that is suitable for small tourist traveling, or fishing purpose on Danube Delta Area. This type of boat is an environmental friendly one, with minimum negative effects for local landscapes (noise, C[O.sub.2] emissions and visual impact).

Main characteristics for electric propulsion boat build-up type : CATAMARAN; design category: D; propulsion type: electric propulsion system; build-up materials : epoxy with fiber glass; maximum charge: 4 persons with light luggage (350kg); maximum power of propulsion : 2KW; length : 6 m; width : 2.20 m; height of floating parts : 0.6 m; draft: 0.40 m; weight : 600 kg.

Main characteristics for power systems

For solar power system: Output voltage: 24Vcc. max. output power: 3x150 W.

For hydroelectric power system: Max output voltage: 48 Vcc. max. output power: 250 W, for 1,7 m/s--water current flow.

2. IN-SITU CATAMARAN TYPE ECODELTA BOAT TESTING, ON DANUBE

a. Environmental testing conditions

Testing place: Danube River, near Tulcea City, Latitude: 45[degrees]11'8 N; longitude: 28[degrees]49'5E. Testing period: 25, 26, 27 June 2008.

Hydro- meteorological conditions: wind speed 3-6m/s, WSW; wave degree 0 - 2; atmospherically humidity 19.16%; water deepness [approximately equal to] 7m--near slime, 21 m--on shipping channel; minimum water speed : 0,7 m/s--near slime, 1 m/s--on shipping channel.

General testing criterions of the Ecodelta 1 electric boat:

--nautical characteristics, maneuverability, way steadiness, evolution during revolving time, speed-drive combined regime evolution.

--safety of passengers on normal function conditions, safety of passengers on emergency conditions.

Remarks:--During testing time the boat was assisted by a speedy motorboat (Glastron 180) with 60 HP propulsion system power.

--In the start-up time, the batteries were charged on 82% of their electric capacity.

--Supplementary charge on board: cca. 400 Kg (boat driver, three passengers, testing equipments).

[FIGURE 1 OMITTED]

b. Specifically tests for electric propulsion system.

Presentation of electric propulsion system suitable for testing:

Main components of this experimental model: electric synchronous motor MSPMTA-0650-ME, electronic driver module for synchronous electric motor, BC-MSPMTA-ME, 270 mm two blade propulsion propeller.

Tests equipment of Ecodelta boat electric propulsion system Testing equipment: Boat displacement speed--speed measurement device (water vane); Current water speed--speed measurement device (water vane); Electric motor and electronic driver module voltage--digital multimeter; Electric motor and electronic module electric current--digital multimeter; Absorbed power determination by electric propulsion system on several functioning regimes--power analyzer.

The tests included the displacements of the Ecodelta boat with own propulsion system in two directions: downstream and upstream of the Danube. The first measurement set was achieved in order to determine cruise speed and maximum speed of the boat (with 4 passengers and light luggage - about 400 kg.) and also to determine electrical characteristics on the charge circuit of battery accumulators

Experimental results obtained after the electric propulsion system testing process.

In table 1 on present the experimental results for four specific displacement regimes, taking to account that the Danube speed current flow was 1 m/s, where was performed the tests.

From the table 1 we observe a - 2,8 m/s maximum displacement speed. In conformity with theoretical aspects (3), we present on table 2 the boat necessary tracking power for a 3 m/s--reference water speed.)

Tacking to account a electronic driver module efficiency of 0,95 %, a electric motor efficiency of 0,9 % and also a propeller efficiency of 0,75 % we find a 0,64 % global efficiency of a entire propulsion system of the boat. Considering a value of 1100 W obtained for theoretical value of boat tracking power for 2,8 m/s boat displacement speed (see table 2), and comparing this value with the maximum power obtained at the accumulators battery (1720 W-table 1), by dividing this two values, we approach to the same value of global efficiency presented above (0,64 %).

Conclusion after the electric propulsion system test Based on technical study and design (hydrodynamics and electromechanically), and also on the propulsion system experimental test results, we present the main characteristics of the propulsion system:

* Supply voltage: 24 V +/-2 V.

* Maximum power of propulsion system: 1800 W

* Maximum absorbed electric current from battery, at referential power: 75 A.

Experimental tests for submersible electric micro hydro generator, installed on Ecodelta boat. Presentation of optimized experimental model:

* Four blades, 500 mm diameter shrouded axial hydro turbine

* Synchronous electric generator with permanent magnets

* Electronic module with voltage rectifier and controller. Testing methodology and measurement equipments

For the simulation of water flow, our boat with submersible electric micro hydro generator installed, was tracked by an motor boat (Glastron 180--presented at point 2), in order to avoid the expensive procedures for identification and installation of this conversion energy system on Danube Delta areas with 1-1,6 m/s water flow speed.

During the test it was determined: water speed, generator revolutions (that was measured for establishing output alternative voltage frequency), electric characteristics (voltage, current, power) in alternative voltage circuit (synchronous generator output), with a watt-meter equipment, as well as electric characteristics (voltage, current) in c.c. circuit (output rectifier, toward batteries with normal equipment).

Test equipments:

Measure of the water stream speed and for boat speeds--speed measurement device (water vane); Output submersible generator voltage--digital multi-meter; Electric characteristics for loading of batteries--digital multi-meter; Debited by electric output submersible generator--digital multi-meter; Electric submersible generator power--power analyzer; Voltage frequency on electric output submersible generator - digital multi-meter; Electric characteristic measurement in direct current to electronic rectifier output, stabilizer, controller digital multi-meter.

Test for the electric output characteristics of shrouded submersible electric micro hydro generator

The experimental results are showed in figures 2 and 3.

[FIGURE 2 OMITTED]

[FIGURE 3 OMITTED]

Conclusions after the submersible micro hydro-generator tests

Possibility of changing speed, respective water current speed, was limited relatively, in 0.5 - 1.6 m/s range. (usual field for average water speeds flow, on area Danube sailing channel). Regarding the micro-hydro-generator efficiency may concluded that is compatible with batteries loaded of 12V, from stream speed at least 0.7 m/s water speed, for loading the batteries of 24V for 1-1.2 m/s at water speed and for loading the batteries of 48V at more then 1,4 m/s water speed .

3. CONCLUSION ABOUT ECODELTA BOAT

The boat proposed is adequate for tourism travels or fishing for Danube Delta areas, being a environment friendly ship, and minimum negative effects on near ecosystems (noise, carbon emissions, visual impact etc.).

After the test period we must conclude the following aspects:

* Designed solution for double bottom hull (catamaran type) offer stability.

* For personal safety and vitality, the boat gives the possibilities to store of necessary equipment

* The passengers comfort is high; don't exist situations in that the safety to be affected.

* Lateral benches offer a good sit for passengers without reducing comfort during side bents.

* Easy and precision maneuvers with minim effort.

4. REFERENCES

Cazacu M. D. & Nicolaie, S. (2007). ^.Building optimization of the rivers ecological boats", Modelling and Optimization in the Machines Building Field Conference, Univ. Bacau, Nov. 2007

Cazacu Mircea Dimitrie; Nicolaie, S.; Mihaiescu, M. & Marin, D. (2007). "Ambarcatiune electrica bazata pe resurse regenerabile", Conferurja Nationala Surse Noi si Regenerabile de Energie (CNSNRE 2007), Bucuresti, 1-3 November 2007

*** (2007). "Technical Rapport of second stage of the contract X2C17/2006", Program CEEX-Amtrans, 15 November 2007

Tab. 1. The experimental results for four specific displacement
regimes

 Water Boat Electrical
 speed speed characteristics, on
 (m/s) (m/s) battery circuit.

 U I (A) P
 (v) (W) Observation

1. 1,41 0,41 23,9 32 765 Downstream
 (cruise speed)

2. 2,13 1.13 23,8 59,7 1392 Downstream
 (maxim speed)

3. 1,41 2,41 22.9 59,5 1365 Upstream
 (cruise speed)

4. 1,80 2,80 22,5 75 1720 Upstream
 (maxim speed)

Tab. 2. The boat necessary tracking power for a 3 m/s -
reference water speed

Displacement Displacement Mechanical Maximum Boat
speed (m/s) speed (knots) power to the efficiency tracking
 shaft of to the power
 propeller propeller % Pr (kW)
 Pe (kW)

3 6.00 1.561340158 (75%) 1.171