Optimising Manpower and Reducing Fuel Consumption While Increasing Dredging Production
Type:
Presented during:
WODCON XX: "The Art of Dredging" - 2013, Brussels, Belgium
Authors:
Osnabrugge J, Van den Bergh PM
Abstract: Since the last decade the oil price has more than doubled and is expected to rise even further in the years to come. Hence, fuel costs take an increasing part of the total operational costs of a dredger with an expected lifetime more than 30 years. Furthermore, reducing the CO2 emissions of a dredger will be of increasing importance. So besides getting the most dredging production, it is also important to do this in a fuel economic and environmental-friendly fashion.
In order to reduce both the fuel consumption and guarantee efficient loading by the dredgemaster, advanced automation systems are indispensable. This paper presents a solution by using artificial intelligence (AI). In the last two years significant effort has been made to implement and test the AI-system onboard of the TSHD ‘Congo River’. The AI-system advises the dredgemaster in making the right decisions for maximizing the dredging production in an energy efficient way. The AI-system includes advice for the draghead, dredge pump, jet pump, trail speed, lower tube angle, swell compensator and gearing selections (for discharging). The dredgemaster may choose to manually or automatically follow up the advice for each sub-system separately. This ultimately results in a well automated, optimal and efficient dredging process.
Furthermore, as a part of the AI-system, two new controllers are presented. First, the eco pump controller is discussed. The eco pump controller prevents excessive cavitation of the pump and increases the average pump efficiency. Second, a new automatic visor controller is presented. This controller improves the stability and robustness of the dredging process and reduces the amount of dredgemaster interventions and attention in comparison with the conventional fixed and loose visor control modes.
Keywords: artificial intelligence, advanced automation, efficient dredging, visor controller, pump controller