Hot Market in Cold Waters
17 January 2007
Besides the shipbuilding sector, the offshore market is the fastest growing maritime market sector of all. A considerable number of shipping companies are investing in vessels to use as supply and towing tasks for drilling platforms. These Anchor Handling Tug / Supply (AHTS) vessels are considered the King's Class in their category.
At SMM 2006, RENK is going to present a gear unit which has proven its reliability and longevity under rough conditions at sea over a long period of time.
RENK's NDSL 2500 double marine gear unit combines the power of two 2,800kW medium-speed diesel engines while reducing the engine speed from 800rpm to the propeller speed of 186rpm. With a centre distance of 2,500mm, this gear unit features two Power Take-Offs (PTOs) suitable for the propulsion of a 600kW shaft generator and pump. Its weight totals 18t.
Of particular interest are the shafts that are accommodated by amply dimensioned slide bearings, which contribute to a remarkable reduction of gear unit maintenance costs. For reasons of redundancy, two oil coolers have been provided. Five oil pumps - three mechanically-driven ones and two electrical ones - guarantee a safe operation during multi-disc clutch (dis-) engaging actions.
An electrical heating system, installed directly into the oil pump, ensures that the required oil temperature is maintained even during standstill of the NDSL 2500 gear unit on display at the fair. This is of special importance considering that the AHTS is going to travel along the coasts of Greenland where water and air temperatures are known to be extremely low.
