GMU Projects

 

 

Exploitation of electrical equipment in ship hazardous areas – lecture and laboratory course

Project coordinator
Bolesław Dudojć, PhD(Eng) team member:  Prof. Janusz Mindykowski, DSc(Eng)

Faculty/Department 
Faculty of Electrical Engineering/Department of Marine Electrical Power Engineering

Project period 
01.01.2003 - 22.01.2007

Source of funding, name of the competition/grant
International Association of Maritime Universities, FY2004-18 IAMU Research Project

Brief description of the subject/objective/effects of the project
Safe transport of dangerous goods by deep-sea ships requires advanced, properly designed and implemented monitoring, control and power systems to be installed in hazardous areas (risk of explosion areas). Reliable and safe operation of explosion-proof electrical equipment must also be ensured during the operation of the ship. The existing requirements (STCW) and available specialized courses refer only to the correct and safe conduct of loading and unloading operations. However, the ship Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) is responsible for the proper operation of all electrical devices, including those operating in areas at risk of explosion. Proper maintenance and repair of explosion-proof electrical equipment require particular competence, given that explosion-proof properties are often independent of functional properties. This means that after repair, the device may meet functional requirements, but it does not ensure safety due to the loss of explosion-proof properties.

As part of the project, a series of lectures (15 hours) and laboratory classes (15 hours) was developed, dedicated Electrical Engineering students.

A textbook (109 pages) and a PowerPoint presentation (312 slides) were prepared for the lecture.

The following issues were presented during the lecture: explosion conditions, explosive mixtures and their basic parameters such as lower and upper explosion limits, temperature class, groups, and subgroups of explosive mixtures, classification of hazardous areas, selection of equipment for explosion safety. Types of explosion protection used in electrical devices such as flameproof enclosures "d", increased safety "e", pressurized enclosures "p", powder filling "q", protection of equipment and transmission systems using optical radiation "op", oil immersion "o", protection type n (non-incendive), encapsulation "m", intrinsic safety "i". Due to the commonness of the intrinsically safe designs used in monitoring and control systems, this issue has been discussed in more detail. In addition, reference is made to the markings of devices used in potentially explosive areas, both in accordance with the ATEX directive and the IECEx scheme. The basic requirements relating to the inspection and maintenance of Ex devices are discussed. Dust hazards and non-electrical devices used in potentially explosive areas are discussed in a narrower scope.

A series of 5 laboratory classes were prepared, each preceded by the relevant theoretical introduction, in the following scope:

  • Examination of the intrinsically safe measuring line using the Pt-100 sensor.
  • Examination of the intrinsically safe measuring line with the use of a thermocouple sensor (TC).
  • Examination of the intrinsically safe binary measurement line with the use of a separator.
  • Examination of the intrinsically safe measuring line in the 4-20mA standard with the use of a separator.
  • Familiarisation of selected non-intrinsically safe explosion-proof devices.

The effect of this project were classes conducted on the subject of Intrinsic Safety Techniques in English for students of the Electrical Engineering field  The experience gained in the implementation of the project was used in the development of the IMO Model Course for Electro-Technical Officer (IMO 7.08 Model Course for ETO) and in the implementation of the project entitled: IAMU Model Course for Electro-Technical Officers (ETO) (2012-2013).

 

IAMU Model Course for Electro-Technical Officers (ETO)

Project coordinator
Principal Coordinator: Vadym Zakcharchenko, Deputy–Rector, ONMA (Odessa National Maritime Academy)
Project Coordinator for EU Region: Janusz Mindykowski, GMU Vice-President 
Project Coordinator of Asia-Pacific Region: Ruan Wei, Director, Shanghai Seafarers Training Centre, SMU (Shanghai Maritime University)

Faculty/Department/Section
Professor Janusz Mindykowski, DSc(Eng), GMU Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Department of Ship Electrical Engineering - project manager (Polish representation)
Jacek Wyszkowski, MSc(Eng) and Bolesław Dudojć, PhD(Eng) – main project executors (Polish representation)

Project completion date
2012 - 2013

Source of funding
IAMU, THE NIPPON FOUNDATION, IAMU 2012 Research Project (No 2012-2013)

Brief description of the subject/objective/effects of the project
The project is supplementary to the "IMO Model Course for ETO" and results from the findings of the "The Committee of the Whole of the STCW Conference in Manila, 2010",  where the pioneering standards of competence for "electro-technical personnel on ships" were accepted. Due to the rapid development of ship electrical engineering and electronics, especially in connection with all-electric ships, the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) (2010) introduced qualifications aimed at ship officers in electro-automation using a two-level based approach: ETO Officer and Senior ETO Officer. The MSC initiative received extensive support from the IAMU where the project presented by a consortium of members from Ukraine, Poland, and China was highly assessed by the decision-making bodies and approved for implementation. The project focused on the development of a "Course for ETO", and "Course for Senior ETO", including the teaching and training methods employed, and the associated Training Record Book. The project's objectives were met and its results were positively assessed by IAMU decision-makers. In addition to the IAMU project, which was finalised in a comprehensive 138-page framework report published in the form of a monograph, the participants in the project were the initiators and co-authors of related publications for the IMO: IMO Model Course for ETO (2013) and Training Record Book (2013).

 

A coefficient of voltage energy efficiency (CoeffVoltEff)

Project coordinator 
Piotr Gnaciński, PhD(Eng),GMU Associate Professor

Faculty/Department/Section
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Department of Ship Electrical Engineering in collaboration with partner universities

Partners
Gdynia Maritime University (leading partner)
National University "Odessa Maritime Academy" (Ukraine)
Escola Superior Náutica Infante D. Henrique (Portugal)
Shanghai Maritime University (China)

Members of the project team from Gdynia Maritime University
Piotr Gnaciński, DSc(Eng), GMU Associate Professor,
Janusz Mindykowski, DSc(Eng),
Tomasz Tarasiuk, DSc(Eng), GMU Associate Professor,
Damian Hallmann, PhD(Eng)
Marcin Pepliński,PhD(Eng)
Mariusz Górniak,MSc(Eng)
Andrzej Piłat, MSc(Eng)

Project completion date
1.05.2019 - 31.05.2020

Source of funding 
International Association of Maritime Universities, The Nippon Foundation; FY2019 IAMU AAS Research

Project budget
59,940.00 USD

Description of the subject/objectives/effects of the project
The main aim of the project was to develop a tool for the assessment and monitoring of the impact of voltage quality disturbances on power losses in inductive ship engines. A new synthetic voltage quality factor was proposed - a coefficient of voltage energy efficiency. Its mathematical description is based on the analysis of the individual components of inductive engine losses, the acceptance of engine parameters and their loading, and the application of appropriate approximation. The coefficient was verified experimentally for engines with different properties and proposed and a long-lasting value for implementation in the relevant standards and regulations was proposed. The results of experimental research carried out on the Horyzont II Training and Research Ship and the results of monitoring the quality of electricity on different units are presented in terms of the new factor. Factors that have a significant impact on power losses in marine inductive engines have been identified.

 

 

Research on New Obstacle Avoidance Algorithms for Ships (NOAA)

Project coordinator and principal investigator
Agnieszka Lazarowska, PhD(Eng), Department of Ship Automation

Project implementation period
1st May 2018 – 31st May 2019

Source of funding
International Association of Maritime Universities, FY2018 IAMU YAS Research Project

A brief description of the subject/objectives/effects of the project
The aim of the project was to develop and verify algorithms for determining a safe ship trajectory in a collision situation at sea. The project included the implementation of deterministic and heuristic algorithms for safe ship trajectory planning and the development of a system for the verification of algorithms on board a vessel. The algorithms were verified by simulation tests in the MATLAB environment with the use of real navigational situations recorded on board the research and training vessel Horyzont II. The simulation tests proved the effectiveness of the algorithms applied for solving the problem of ship safe trajectory planning. The analysis of obtained results confirmed that the algorithms are suitable for use in a Decision Support System or a motion control system of unmanned or fully autonomous ships. Their application will contribute to the achievement of safer and more ecological navigation.

 

University Site Visit (Audit)

Audit conducted by
Piotr Kopacz, PhD(Eng), Master Mariner, Faculty of Navigation, Department of Navigation Nawigacji

Date of audit
31.01 - 03.02.2023

Details
A site visit (audit) conducted at the Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor of the University of Montenegro to assess the suitability of the Faculty for IAMU membership. Carried out on the basis of a Letter of Request from the Executive Director of IAMU, Prof Takeshi Nakazawa, to carry out the visit on behalf of the International Executive Board (IEB) members.