Coast Guard Cutter Duty Cycle and Propeller/Diesel Engine Efficiency Study

摘要

This report covers an investigation into methods to reduce the fuel consumption of the large main propulsion diesel engines used on 378 high-endurance and 210B medium-endurance Coast Guard cutters. This investigation involved, first, defining the duty cycles for the cutters and, second, analyzing the efficiency of the controllable pitch propellers and main diesel engines. Based on this information, cycle composite cutter fuel consumption figures were calculated and changes in the operational procedures of these cutters were recommended where fuel savings appeared to be possible. Methods of reducing fuel consumption which were analyzed were changes in the propeller pitch/engine speed combination needed to produce a given cutter speed, and possible single-engine operation at low cutter speeds. A study of the duty cycle of an icebreaker is also included in the program. (Author)