Technical Presentation: Improving ship efficiency through Becker Marine Systems Rudders and Mewis Duct

Abstract:

Founded in 1946 by Willi Becker, Becker Marine Systems (BMS) has become the market leader for high- efficiency maneuvering systems and energy-saving devices for all types of vessels.

With the current introduction of the EEXI and CII in context, an overview of the Becker Marine Systems (BMS) relevant product portfolio is given.

Firstly, a brief insight into rudder theory and a comparison of different rudder types (in terms of efficiency vs. maneuverability) will be given, with a focus on twisted rudders with bulb.

Secondly, the energy-saving device Becker Mewis Duct® and its natural development, the Becker Mewis Duct® Twisted (formerly known as Becker Twisted Fin®), will be presented. With its flexible design approach, the Mewis Duct family works by creating a thrust, reducing the vessel drag by minimizing separation, and improving the propeller efficiency by introducing a pre-swirl. These effects combine to produce effective power reductions for all types of vessels.

With today’s emphasis on efficient performance, optimization of both rudders and ESDs rely heavily on the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. Use of CFD is now core to the design and development of BMS products, and some examples that illustrate how it is used for rudder and ESD optimization will be given.

Speaker:                 

Lars Koehler, Sales Manager

+49 40 24199-1321 / lko@becker-marine-systems.com

Lars has been with Becker Marine Systems Sales team for 2 years. He is responsible for Sales of Becker Marine Systems in various areas in Europe and Americas. Previously, he held various positions in Sales and Service in the maritime industry.

Lars is a former Navy Officer with a university degree in Industrial Engineering as well as an MBA in International Management.

Steve Leonard, Head – Research & Development (ibmv)

+49 381 36445311 / sle@ibmv.de

Steve has been leading the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) effort at the Becker Marine Systems subsidiary ibmv for 16 years.  During this period, he has gained extensive experience in all aspects of marine hydrodynamics, with particular emphasis on rudder, propeller and ESD design, development and optimization as well as model testing. Prior to working within the BMS group, he spent 7 years as part of the Schilling high-lift rudders team at Hamworthy Engineering, and was for many years working in the naval architecture department at the VSEL shipyard.

Steve graduated from University College London in 1990 with a degree in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, is a member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects.