Address Indian Institute Technology Madras
Phone Number +91 44 22578915
IITM Logo Sagaramala Logo

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION OF MICRO BUBBLE DRAG REDUCTION (MBDR) AND MANEUVERING OF VESSELS IN INLAND WATER TRANSPORTATION

Problem Addressed :

In Inland vessels, 80% of fuel is spent in overcoming water friction. Minimizing this friction will save enormous amount of fuel and increase environmental compliance. Latest developments suggest that (MBDR) could be employed to reduce upto 30% of friction in ships. It is proposed to develop this technology to suit the needs of Inland and coastal vessels in India.

Relevance under Sagarmala :

This project is relevant under connectivity enhancement, Industrialization and community development.

Why now :

On NW-1, Government has projected 20 MT cargo will be transported through 750 Vessels by 2025 and by 2045, another 2100 vessels will be operated on the same highway. DST Germany has been engaged to design ships / special vessels that can run on low draft but can carry high capacity. Since, future vessels operating in these waterways are under design stage, recommendations based on the research proposed will reduce the fuel consumption and turn the pollution.

Current Status in India :

Investigation on MBDR method on flat plate by IIT Madras is in progress. Work on investigation of this method on hull is not yet proposed by any research organization.

Global Status :

Worldwide, in-depth investigation of this method on flat plate, horizontal and vertical channels along with hulls operating in deep water have been carried out. Investigation in shallow water is a research gap, which needs to be addressed immediately.

Timelines of completion :

Total project duration is 36 months, with the following milestones

1st year Model manufacture and experimental tests in deep water without injection of Micro Bubbles; Experimental tests in deep water with injection of Micro Bubbles; CFD analysis and validation
2nd year Experimental tests in shallow water without injection of Micro Bubbles; Experimental tests in shallow water with injection of Micro Bubbles; CFD analysis and validation; Maneouvering tests in deep water without injection of Micro Bubbles
3nd year Maneouvering tests in deep water with injection of Micro Bubbles; CFD analysis of manoeuvring tests
Key competencies and stakeholders involved :

IIT Madras is the leader in this area. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is the statutory authority in charge of the waterways in India, will directly be benefited by the research proposed. Ministry of Shipping in promoting a research based on Green Technology to reduce the pollution and increase Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI)of the vessel is also a major stakeholder.

Short Term Impact: Reduction in the frictional drag, will reduce the consumption of fuel oil, which in turn will reduce NOx and SOx emissions from ship engines.

Medium Term impact :

Considering 750 Vessels being operated 2025 on only one NW, this proposed method will have major impact on all aspects like EEDI, emissions and ultimately reduction in the cost of operation of these many vessels.

Long term impact :

If all 2100 vessels start operating on NW-1 along another few thousands of vessels on all other NWs proposed, this will be a major boost to the economy and as GOI is precisely looking for opportunities to reduce cost and is also projecting India as Country dedicated for saving the environment, research on this proposed methodology will assist in all aspects GOI is looking for.

Physical location of the project :

NTCPWC, IITM Campus.

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