Huge Hard Wing Sails for the Propulsor of Next Generation Sailing Vessel

Abstract

To drastically reduce the fuel oil consumption of a large merchant vessel, the utilization of ocean wind power should be considered as an option for the main propulsion power of the vessel. The new concept of “motor-assisted sailing ship” is proposed as an excellent eco-ship towards a low-carbon society. The vessel is fitted with huge hard sails (height: 50m, breadth: 20m, area: 1,000m 2 x9) on the upper deck as a main propulsor, which is made by CFRP composite. The hard sail has a crescent wing section, and also has a vertically telescopic reefing mechanism and a self-rotating mechanism to meet the wind direction. The nine pieces of hard sails (total sail area 9,000m 2 ) are expected to generate enough forward thrust to drive a 180,000DWT bulk carrier on 14knot, in case of wind velocity of 12m/s from a beam. The aerodynamic interaction of the 9 wing row sail system is carried out with a full scale CFD simulation. Furthermore, a case study on the effect of “motor-assisted sailing ship” in the real sea was carried out and more than 50% of propulsion energy is acquired from the ocean wind power in average.