Fluidic air lubrication
INTRODUCING FLUIDICAL
FluidicAL represents the first fluidic air lubrication solution for Shipping and is patented worldwide, and aligned with EU's Green Deal and three of the UN sustainable development goals: SDG#9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; SDG#14 - Life below water, and; SDG#15 - Life above water.
FluidicAL was awarded the EU Seal of Excellence in 2019 and received in 2020 the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label.
FluidicAL, offers Shipowners a proven method to reduce the vessel’s resistance, by decreasing the friction between the vessel's hull and the surrounding water by 50% - 70%. This translates into speed flexibility and/or significantly reduced CO2 emissions and fuel costs by typically net 8-12% with a 2-3 years’ payback period.
Ecologic and business logic!
How fluidical works?
FludicAL creates and maintains underneath a vessel an air layer of 240,000 thousands micro air bubbles per second, covering the largest area of any solution in existence
FluidicAL works on the principle of creating and maintaining an air layer underneath the ship’s hull to reduce the friction, when sailing, between the ship’s hull and surrounding water.
In the design of FluidicAL, the MPS team set three parameters for success.
First, the micro air bubbles have to be generated using less compressors to avoid savings being consumed by running a myriad of compressors.
Second, the air layer has to cover the full flat bottom area for maximum efficiency of the air layer and the highest friction reduction.
Third, the quality and persistence of the air layer must be controlled as the natural movements of the vessel will result in air losses that must quickly be regenerated.
FluidicAL works on the principle of creating and maintaining an air layer underneath the ship’s hull to reduce the friction when sailing.
FluidicAL has successfully overcome traditional air lubrication system limitations by using a patented combination of Fluidic oscillators. These can generate up to 240,000 micro air bubbles per second per meter (approximately 80 million air bubbles per second underneath an Aframax tanker), using typically no more than 2 compressors.
The micro air bubbles air injected under the vessel through several wing-shaped band, generating a 4-5 mm air layer under the vessel. The bands are non-invasive and are installed as add-on to the hull.
Each band is controlled individually, enabling the system to continuously optimise the air layer for maximum efficiency. FluidicAL is able to regenerate the air layer in less than 25 seconds.
Creating the air layer instantaneous
Benefits
Profitable and sustainable
- Yearly fuel savings of 10-20%, net 8-12%
- 3 times less emissions (CO2, NOx, SOx)
- Significant reduction of fouling
- Payback period less than 3 years
- Expected lifecycle of three dry-dockings (approx. 15 years)
TURNKEY SOLUTION
- Turnkey solution, ensuring integration
- Controlled by artificial intelligence
- Proven, award-winning technology
- Payback period less than 3 years
- Minimal structural modifications to the hull
- Built with standard components only: no recertification required
- Integrates with onboard systems
- Does not interfere with other systems
INSTALLATION WORLDWIDE
- Installed at shipyards worldwide
- Retrofittable to existing ships
- Installation within typical dry-docking period
- Upgradable in-between dry-docking and can be serviced at port
Proven 7%-10% net savings over 12 months
Taking charge of the environmental impact
As the manager of Tharsis Sea-River Shipping, Jan Albert Bosma runs a typical captain-owner business, engaging in single-vessel trade between the Netherlands, Germany and the UK.
His cargo vessel M/V Tharsis has an edge that is anything but typical: fluidic air lubrication from Marine Performance Systems. With demonstrated net fuel savings of 7–10%, the technology is good for Bosma’s business today – and is facilitating plans for a green future.
Proof in real-life percentages
Indeed, since it was installed on the Tharsis in 2020, the fluidic air lubrication system has lived up to its fuel-saving promise and has only grown stronger over time.
“We see the results that we’ve measured ourselves – and you always want to see for yourself,” Bosma says. “The savings in real life vary, depending on the sailing profile, the vessel’s speed and the weather circumstances. So we’ve had trials with 7–9% savings, and we’ve had savings over 15%. Life’s not ideal, so you can’t get 15% on a daily basis. But we average between 7% and 10%, which is definitely in the range Marine Performance Systems claims.”
The simple strength of fluidical
The difference compared to most air lubrication, Bosma says, is the simplicity. “Some air lubrication systems are quite complicated, requiring a completely flat bottom and considerable changes. The advantage of this system is its simplicity. On a newbuild, you could build it in and you wouldn’t even find it – that’s how simple it is. For us as a retrofit, I think it took four or five days to install, and there’s nothing we have to do under the vessel to maintain it.”The only profitable way out of the dilemma is to significantly reduce fuel consumption. Reduction of the friction of the ship is the area where the highest efficiency can be gained.
Retrofit or Newbuild?
The flexibility of FluidicAL is unrivalled, enabling shipowners the fullest potential of transitioning their fleet to Green Shipping.
As a retrofit solution
As a retrofit, FluidicAL provides a number of benefits:
- Reduced CO2 emissions, helping you help the environment, but also limiting your CO2 tax
- Reduction of EEXI, helping comply with the new regulations
- Increased maximum speed, providing a booster when needed
As a newbuild solution
FluidicAL also provides a fully integrated solution for newbuild designs. The solution has a minimal footprint and will help you achieve your goals for energy reduction in your fleet.
Main advantages of using FluidicAL on your newbuild design are:
- Reduction of propulsion plant size, helping reduce the initial investment cost
- Combination with other environmental
- Reduction of EEDI
Key features of FluidicAL
- Efficient generation of air bubbles, using typically 1-3 compressors or blowers
- Covering full flat bottom area for maximum effectiveness
- Persistent air layer quality for highest control and efficiency
- Upgradable post installation to future generations
- Vessel centric by design, balancing operational and financial flexibility
- Vessel speed independent across the ship's speed range
- Vessels from 3,350 - 400,000 dwt