Japan: Award of Excellence for New Hybrid Turbocharger’s Onboard Electric-Supply System

The development of a hybrid turbocharger’s onboard electric-supply system has been recognized with an award of excellence for invention from the Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers (JASNAOE).

The hybrid turbocharger built and then fitted on a vessel for the first time was developed by NYK, the Monohakobi Technology Institute (MTI), the Universal Shipbuilding Corporation, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., and these companies were recognized for this achievement in the field of naval architecture and ocean engineering at an awards ceremony held on May 17 at the Kobe Industrial Promotion Center.

The JASNAOE presents annual awards for research and invention, and to technicians who have made significant contributions to academics and the advancement of industrial technology in the field of naval architecture and ocean engineering. The award for invention is selected from significant research and published material related to shipbuilding, engineering, ocean engineering, and other general maritime affairs, in addition to new technology development, invention, and devices. In fact, the NYK Group’s development of Mente-san, a hold-inspection device for bulk carriers, received this award in 2010.

In addition to basic functions that utilize exhaust gas from the main engine to turn the turbine at a high speed — a turbine that then drives a compressor, which supplies combustion air to the engine — the new hybrid turbocharger utilizes the extra rotational power of the turbine to generate electricity. By utilizing “waste” energy, the turbocharger boosts the output power of the engine by enabling it to aspirate at a level higher than that for the original engine displacement.

By reducing use of the diesel generator, the hybrid turbocharger contributes to a further reduction of CO2 emissions. The technological development of the hybrid turbocharger had been selected as a subsidized project by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism under the “Support for Technology Development for Curtailing CO2 from Marine Vessels” project and supported by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) as part of assistance provided through a joint research scheme.

NYK said that the company will continue to respond proactively to environmental issues through further innovations in technology.