When dolphins swim in the water, the mucus produced on their skin provides lubrication and minimizes the kinetic energy of the water flow. At the same time, their skin creates a very thin layer of turbulence at their high speed. Thanks to the almost frictionless layer, they literally glide through the water.
This mechanism, known as laminar flow, is used in watercraft and aircraft. The Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) in China, in collaboration with the shipping company COSCO Shipping Energy Transportation, has developed a similar technology for use in ship propellers.
Researchers say the dolphin-inspired new bionic skin is made of interface materials with fluid-like dynamics and flexible materials ranging from 0.1 to 0.2 millimeters.
The skin attached to normal ship propellers increases efficiency by reducing the shear force between the water and the propeller. The propeller, whose tension against the water decreases, consumes less energy.
It is expected that 300 tons less fuel will be consumed
The NIMTE statement said that a Very Large Crude Oil Carrier (VLCC) class tanker sailed for 200 days with a propeller covered with bionic dolphin skin. The 300,000-ton vessel covered a distance of 65,000 kilometers on water.
Researchers claim that the vessel saves 2 percent of fuel. Based on this, a VLCC is expected to consume 300 tons less fuel per year.
Carbon dioxide emissions could fall by 900 tonnes
Scientists also hope that the propeller, covered with a bionic skin, will reduce the annual carbon dioxide emissions of a single vehicle by 900 tons.
It is also claimed that the new technology, which will cost $20,000 to install on the propeller, will enable savings of $140,000 per year.
NIMTE and COSCO Shipping Energy Transportation are currently planning to create economic and environmental benefits by covering the propellers of at least 100 crude oil ships with bionic skin.
Bir yanıt yazın