Wallenius Marine announces trials to validate PCTC vessel design
Swedish ship design company Wallenius Marine has initiated advanced wind tunnel tests underway in Gothenburg for its wind-powered pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) vessel.
These tests are crucial for validating the aerodynamic performance of the vessel’s design, which incorporates a combination of hull and high-tech wing sails.
The tests are being conducted at one of Europe’s leading wind tunnels, capable of simulating wind speeds of up to 250km/h.
Wallenius Marine is collaborating with experts from RISE, KTH, and Oceanbird to conduct these pivotal tests. The aim is to not only confirm the vessel’s design but also to enhance data simulation models for wind-powered ships.
RISE Maritime Department, formerly known as SSPA, is overseeing the testing process. They have crafted a 5m × 2m model using state-of-the-art technology to fully simulate the ship’s aerodynamic performance.
Unlike previous tests that examined wing sails independently, this test is unique in its integration of the hull with multiple wings in a large-scale model within the wind tunnel.
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The testing agenda includes examining the interaction between the hull and six wing sails, determining the optimal distance between them for peak performance, and assessing the effect of three different command bridge designs on the ship’s efficiency.
Additionally, the tests will explore how “off-design conditions” such as incorrect wing sail positioning might impact the ship’s operations. This data is also vital for the development of wing control systems.
These wind tunnel trials are said to represent a significant milestone in the journey towards wind-powered PCTC vessels, a concept that began as a simple sketch in 2017, said the company.
The next major step is scheduled for next year when the Oceanbird wing sail will undergo live testing aboard Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s vessel Tiranna.
Wallenius Marine senior project manager Carl Fagergren said: “We are currently at a central stage in the design process where we want to ensure that our design meets all technical and operational requirements before we finalise the tender design.”
In September, Wallenius Marine christened the first vessel built with its Sleipner design concept as it gets ready to deliver the Future Way PCTC to Volkswagen.
