MVDC Electric Propulsion Systems for Integrating Waste Heat Recovery Systems in Marine Transport

Abstract

This work proposes a means of reducing maritime transport emissions by combining electric ship propulsion with waste heat recovery systems (WHRSs). This solution was derived from the application of a literature-review-based methodology, the findings of which were formulated as a paradigm consisting of a combination of electric ship propulsion with MVDC networks and WHRSs. This paradigm was then validated through modeling and simulation. Real-time simulations were deployed to evaluate the integration of the heat recovery system, specifically an organic Rankine cycle (ORC), into the MVDC network of the ship. The results of the simulations showed that an appropriate design of the dc network topology and control system is required for the ship to perform correctly under any scenario. It was concluded that replacing the passive rectifiers of the generators with controlled rectifiers improved the voltage profile of the MVDC network. In addition, it was inferred that the design of the global controller is essential for the integration of the heat recovery system.