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Inside the engines powering life at sea

January 24, 2014
For more than two centuries we’ve relied on engines to power our exploration, travel and trade on the seas.
With each new generation of engine technologies, we’ve travelled faster and safer with less impact on the environment.

It’s been a long, exciting journey since the early days when the wind carried the First Fleet’s eleven ships to Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788.

To recognise their voyage this Australia Day, and the spirit of adventure behind marine engine development, here is a look at the technologies that helped connect the world.

Sailing by steam


/><br /> <br /> Gas turbine engines emerged towards the end of World War II in German aircraft, such as the Messerschmitt.<br /> <br /> Early examples were not as efficient as diesel engines, however gas turbines produced significant amounts of power and were very light, making them ideal for aircraft.<br /> <br /> In marine applications, the same advantages apply. Mr Munns said gas turbine technology still operates using the four stroke principle found in diesel and gasoline engines. Air is drawn into a cylinder, compressed, injected with fuel, and the resulting exhaust gases drive the propeller.<br /> <br /> Today the advances in gas turbines are coupled with developments in the variety and costs of available fuels.<br /> <br /> For example, GE’s LM gas turbine engines run on marine gas oil (MGO), bio diesel, bio-synthetic parraffinic kerosene bends and liquid natural gas (LNG). Cleaner fuels such as LNG are good for the environment and reduce maintenance costs. “The developments are all driven by fuel costs,” Mr Munns said.<br /> <br /> In the future, technologies such as Dry Low Emissions (DLE) engines will improve emissions through near-optimum fuel-air distribution and reduced NOx and CO outputs.<br /> <br /> The use of hybrid diesel, gas turbine and electric propulsion will also continue to shape engine technologies and new marine vessels.<br /> <br /> For example, electric propulsion technology is being used to power ships like the world’s largest ocean liner <a href=RMS Queen Mary 2, which features a combination of diesel engines, GE gas turbine engines and electric motors.