Ship Component in Hull Optimization

Abstract

This document outlines an optimization to define the size of the components in the power train of an electric ship, specifically one appropriate for an 80 MW Destroyer. The objective is to minimize the volume of the system, including the fuel. The size, number and speed of the gas turbines, the electric generators, and the power electronics are considered as unknowns in the analysis. At the heart of the procedure is the power mission profile. The gas turbine is by far the most important component in terms of influence on system volume. Integral to its selection is the specific fuel consumption as a function of power and turbine size. The proposed procedure outlines a nested optimization to define both the best spread of turbines as well as the proper scheduling with load demand. Including fuel in the system volume is the key to meaningful component identification. The optimized design has a system volume 603.5 m3 smaller than the base configuration, assuming both systems employ load scheduling among turbines. An optimized design can save as much as 600 m3.