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Marine


Overview Chilled Water Systems Potable Water Systems Ballast Systems Heavy Duty Diesel Engines

Ballast Systems

Ballast systems play an important role in the safe operation of both surface and subsurface ships.

On submarines the ballast system determines the maximum operating depth. The ability to quantify key design parameters earlier in the design process leads to increased confidence in the final design. Such parameters may include:

  • Optimised storage capacity of the compressed air storage tanks
  • Blow-down time
  • Compressed air storage recharge times

For surface ships such as cargo ships, chemical tankers, oil tankers and cruise ships the addition of shipboard filtration systems has added more complexity. Simulating the ballast system before it is installed can help to ensure:

  • Ballast tank filling and emptying times can be accurately predicted
  • Pump size can be optimised to achieve system design specifications
  • Ballast water treatment plant supply can be predicted
  • Quantify the length of time for deballasting
  • Ballast and deballasting control systems can be developed effectively

Case Studies

BAE Systems Submarines' Astute designs for trim and ballast systems

Reliability, safety, operational effectiveness and efficiency (covertness) are key requirements for the Astute Class submarines. BAE Systems Submarines have simulated many of the Astute systems to enhance and de-risk the design. An example includes the trim, ballast and hover systems, which were extensively modelled in Flowmaster to develop and optimise the design to meet the contractual requirements.