Cruise Ship Engineering Summary

Sun Princess Engineering

Engineering Details from the Sun Princess based upon the Engineering Department Flyer

Main Propulsion Motors

The main propulsion motors are GEC Alsthom MWHPD 300-170 / 14C. With a shaft power of 14,000kW (18,774HP) and a maximum speed of 145 RPM they are supplied by a voltage of 2,200V AC and a power factor of 0.9. The propulsion transformers take the incoming 6.6kV from the generators and transform it to 2.2 k V. The synchroconverters then change the 2.2 kV into a d.c. voltage, this passes through a circuit, which converts the D.C. back to AC. with a specific frequency. The two main propulsion motors are synchronous i.e. they rotate at a speed proportional to the frequency of the supply voltage. Therefore the frequency from the synchroconverters varies according to the required speed of the ship.  

Engines

Four Sulzer 16ZAV40S are located on Deck 1. The cylinder heads and the associated turbochargers extend well up into Deck 2. Both of these decks are below the waterline.

Running at 514 RPM, each engine has a maximum continuous rating of 11 ,520kW or 15,448 HP. Aligned in a V formation each cylinder has a bore of 400mm and a stroke of 560 mm. Utilizing either diesel oil or heavy fuel each engine uses roughly 1.7m3 (450 gallons) of oil per hour. The heavy Fuel Oil is heated to 125C (260F) to reduce the viscosity and enable complete combustion to take place. With a storage capacity of 2,600m3 (686,000 gallons) this gives the Sun Princess the capability of worldwide cruising.

                 

Generators

Each generator is connected to the main switchboard which feeds the main propulsion transformers and the entire electrical load on the ship, this includes all the galleys (kitchens), lighting and electrically powered machinery throughout the ship. Generating 6.6KV 3 phase at 60 Hz the number of generator sets utilised will depend upon the speed required from the bridge and the electrical load on the main switchboard.

 

Stabilisers

The purpose of the stabilisers is to provide smoother sailing through the water particularly in rough weather. A gyroscope measures the speed and direction of any rolling motion. It produces an electronic signal, which is processed by a computer and used to control a hydraulic pump, which rotates the stabiliser about its axis. The stabiliser fin is shaped like an aircraft's wing and the water flowing over it creates a force, which is transmitted to the ship's hull counteracting that of the sea, making a smoother journey. When not in use they fold into the ship's side to reduce drag.  

Thrusters

Sun Princess is fitted with four thrusters, two forward and two aft. The purpose of the thrusters is to move the ship transversely and to assist the engines in manoeuvring. A LIPS system incorporates both the thrusters and propellers to allow the Captain to change the ships centre of rotation. An electrical motor at a constant speed and direction of rotation drives each thruster. The forward thrusters are rated at 1750kW (2,346 HP) each and the aft at 1,400kW (1,877 HP).  

Propellers

Each propeller is 5.2 meters (17 feet) in diameter, has six skewed blades, weighs 14.6 tons (32,000 pounds) and is made of Copper-Nickel-Aluminum Alloy (60%Cu; 39% Zn; 1 % AI). The blades are handed so that the propellers turn outward when the ship is going /I Ahead".  

Evaporators

Sun has three Serck Como Gmbh 600 evaporators. These are of the flash, low-pressure, six-stage type. They use the main generators' cooling water or steam from the boilers to heat sea-water under a vacuum, this causes the water to boil at a low temperature, and the evaporated water is then condensed and pumped into storage tanks. One evaporator has a capacity of producing 320 tonnes of water per day (84,532 gallons) whilst the other two each have a capacity of 640 tonnes per day (169,065 gallons). The total water storage capacity of Sun Princess is 2,370 tonnes (626,070 gallons).  

Boilers

Sun Princess has four Senior Thermal exhaust-gas boilers and two oil-fired CPH 12 auxiliary boilers. The purpose of the exhaust gas boilers is to absorb the waste heat of the exhaust gasses created by the main engines. This improves the plant efficiency and reduces the fuel consumption. The two oil-fired boilers utilize the 'sunrod' principle and provide 12,OOOKg/hour of saturated steam. Steam is used in many areas around the ship - for heating and cooking in the galley, making hot water, heating fuel and air-conditioning in the colder climates.

 

Air Conditioning

There are five air-conditioning compressors with an installed power of 13MW (17,433 HP). They are made by ABB-Stal and are of the screw type. Three units have a refrigeration capacity of 1 0,500,000BTU or 880 Refrigeration tons, while two units have a refrigeration capacity of 6,800,000 BTU or 570 refrigeration tons. Utilizing R22 as the refrigerant chilled water at 6 QC (43 QF) is pumped around the ship to 15 A.C. stations. The Sun Princess is fitted with pressure transmitters that work in conjunction with exhaust fans; these avoid positive pressures in certain areas of the ship. However, on upper decks a positive pressure is advantageous as this limits ingress of external air.

        

Engine Control Room

The Engine Control Room (ECR) is a semi-automated control centre. Manned 24 hours a day 7 days a week there are three watches dividing the time equally up into the 12-4, 4-8 and the 8-12 watches. The ECR has the control of the engines, propulsion when not in maneuvering, fresh water generation, air-conditioning and other major services. Manned by a 151 Engineer with a 2nd Engineer and Motorman in the engine spaces they are in constant communication with the Bridge.

Black and Grey Water

Due to the large numbers of passengers and crew onboard the Sun Princess, a lot of waste water is generated. The Sun Princess has three Membrane Biological Reactors (MBRs). The MBRs process waste water by biologically breaking down the mixture and filtering it through a bank of membrane filters. The effluent that is produced is clean water which is of an extremely high standard.