B6389 - Marine Power and Auxiliary Systems – A

Learning outcomes

Comprehensive Understanding of Marine Propulsion Systems: Students will develop an in-depth understanding of the primary components of marine propulsion systems, including the prime mover, transmission line, and propeller, and will be able to apply engineering design principles to select and optimize propulsion systems for various types of vessels.

Expertise in Propulsion Technologies: Students will classify, evaluate, and compare different propulsion technologies, diesel engines, gas turbines, and electric propulsion. They will understand the operating principles and the impact of each system on vessel performance and efficiency.

Propeller-Engine Matching: Students will learn to perform complex calculations to achieve optimal matching between prime movers and propellers, including predicting performance with fixed and controllable pitch propellers and calculating equilibrium points. They will gain skills to calculate range and energy consumption using the

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Awareness: Students will assess the energy efficiency of propulsion systems and explore modern solutions for improving it. This includes studying hybrid propulsion systems, biofuels, alternative energy sources, and other environmentally sustainable technologies, in line with industry regulations and pollution control measures.

Design and Analysis of Auxiliary Systems: Students will acquire the ability to design, analyze, and optimize critical auxiliary systems used on board vessels, such as bilge, firefighting, fuel, freshwater, and waste management systems (black and gray water). They will use engineering principles to size components (e.g., pumps, valves, and pipes) and ensure these systems comply with international maritime standards.

Integration of Hybrid and Innovative Propulsion Systems: Students will explore and evaluate the latest innovations in hybrid propulsion systems and alternative energy sources, such as hydrogen, assessing their feasibility and performance in nautical applications. They will also understand how to integrate these systems into traditional vessel architectures.

Hands-on Numerical and Computational Skills: Through practical exercises, students will develop strong numerical and computational skills in propulsion and auxiliary systems design. This includes performing calculations for gearbox selection, shaft sizing, pipe thickness, and energy consumption. They will also simulate propulsion system behavior using software tools like Matlab and Simulink, modeling engines, propellers, and control systems under real-world conditions.

Understanding of Nautical Regulations and Vessel Safety: Students will gain an understanding of maritime safety regulations and the engineering behind critical systems that ensure vessel safety, such as steering gears, thrust bearings, and exhaust gas systems. They will be able to apply this knowledge to ensure that propulsion and auxiliary systems meet safety standards while maximizing efficiency and performance.

Course contents

Propulsive Systems

• Propulsion System: Introduction, main components, prime mover, transmission line, propeller, design criteria, layouts and diagrams of propulsion systems and engine rooms.
• Classification of Prime Movers: Technical characteristics and performance of marine diesel engines, and their applications based on the type of vessel.
•  Classification of Propellers: Types of propellers and their respective fields of application. Comparison of advantages and disadvantages.
•  Propulsion Chain: Power and efficiency of the propulsion chain.
•  Marine Engine Fuels: Types and characteristics of fuels used in the maritime and nautical sectors, with particular focus on pollution-related aspects.
•  Engine Margin and Sea Margin: Concepts of engine margin and service margin, and the selection of the primary propulsion engine.
•  Propeller Performance Prediction: Procedures for calculating propulsion equilibrium points and range estimations.
•  Energy Efficiency: Evaluation of propulsion energy efficiency and solutions for improvement.
•  Gearbox: Functioning and procedures for selecting the gearbox.
•  Thrust Bearing: Purpose and operating principles.
•  Transmission Line: Transmission lines, supporting bearings, thrust bearings, hydraulic seals, and acting loads. Drawings and sizing.

Auxiliary Systems

• Introduction: Design criteria and calculations for auxiliary systems, classification of systems, and regulations.
• System Components: Types of valves, filters, pumps, and pipe sizing.
•  Pump Characteristics: Pumps classification, systems of pumps (series and parallel), pump-circuit matching, power chain, and energy consumption.
•  Bilge System: Operation, components, single-line diagrams in three views, ISO regulations, sizing, and component selection.
•  Firefighting System: Regulations, overview of fire extinguishing methods, active and passive protection.
•  Fuel System: Operation, components, single-line diagrams in three views, regulations, sizing, and design choices.
•  Freshwater System: Overview, components, details on autoclaves, and single-line diagrams.
•  Black Water System: Purpose and operation, regulations, components, single-line diagrams, and sizing.
•  Gray Water System: Purpose and operation, gravity gray water systems, vacuum gray water systems, components, single-line diagrams, installation solutions, and sizing regulations.
•  Seawater Services: Operation, drawings, regulations, and sizing.
•  Ventilation System: Operation, purposes, components, single-line diagrams, system solutions, and sizing.
•  Exhaust Gas System: Operation, purpose, noise attenuation, mufflers, separators, submerged exhausts, system solutions, drawings, and backpressure verification.
•  Bow Thruster: Characteristics, types, moment equilibrium, sizing, bollard pull, and catalog selection.
•  Steering Gear: Rudder, operating principles, definitions, types of rudders, and sizing according to regulations.

Readings/Bibliography

Brown, A. J. (2020). Design of Marine Engineering Systems in Ship Concept Design. Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.

Suárez de la Fuente, S. and Baresic, D. (2020) Greenhouse Gases and a Low Carbon Future. Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.

Marine Engineering - SNAME (ME)

Woud, J. K., & Stapersma, D. (2002). Design of propulsion and electric power generation systems. IMarEST.

Teaching methods

The course combines traditional lectures with interactive learning techniques, supported by numerical exercises and computer-based simulations. Students actively engage in applying engineering principles to real-world scenarios, such as propulsion chain design and auxiliary system sizing.

Computational tools like MATLAB, Simulink, and Python are employed to model and simulate propulsion and auxiliary system behavior under realistic conditions. This hands-on approach deepens theoretical understanding and prepares students to handle complex design and operational tasks in marine engineering practice.

Assessment methods

The assessment is divided into two parts: one written and one oral. In the written exam, students must demonstrate their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to solve engineering problems related to marine propulsion and auxiliary systems.

The oral exam will assess the student’s overall understanding of the course content and their ability to synthesize the knowledge acquired during the lectures. During the oral session, the student is expected to demonstrate a sufficient mastery of the topics covered and an ability to critically integrate and explain the concepts discussed throughout the course.

The final grade will be calculated as the average of the grades obtained in the written and oral examinations.

Grade Breakdown Criteria

Grade Range: 18–19
Description: Significant gaps in understanding across several topics. Analytical skills emerge only with support from the instructor. Expression is generally correct but limited.

Grade Range: 20–24
Description: Preparation limited to a few topics. Independent analysis is possible only for basic, procedural problems. Language use is correct.

Grade Range: 25–29
Description: Broad preparation covering many course topics. Ability to perform analyses and synthesize information. Solid command of subject-specific terminology.

Grade Range: 30–30 cum laude
Description: Complete preparation across all topics. Fully autonomous analytical and synthetic reasoning, especially in marine propulsion and system-related problems. Mastery of technical terminology.

Teaching tools

Lessons and exercises are carried out on whiteboard/blackboard and with the help of a personal computer and slides (Power Point, MATLAB, python).

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Coraddu