MSc/PgDip Sustainable Engineering: Marine Technology

Digitalisation has become an essential part of the maritime industry, ultimately steered at making the sector more innovative and productive, particularly for Autonomous Marine Vehicles (AMVs).

A digital twin is a dynamic digital representation of an AMV, capable of replicating significant aspects of autonomy, including dynamics, control, guidance, and navigation. The idea is to create a virtual version of the AMV to achieve a realistic, digital simulation of the system utilising the state-of-the-art physical models.

The digital version of the system can be then utilised to mirror the behaviour of the real-world twin using the sensor updates and historical data. The digital twin can be employed to perform complex scenarios simulation to mitigate loss or performance decay by recommending changes in the use of the AMV and increases the success-probability of the mission.

Mathematical modelling and simulation of AMV is a necessary part of the digital-twin contact development. This course aims to provide the student with the skills and knowledge required to model, simulate and then analyse the complex non-linear behaviour of AMV using MATLAB/Simulink.

This module covers:

Introduction

1. An introduction to Autonomous Marine Vehicles: capabilities and potential.
2. AMV Design parameters.
3. Overview of AMV Power and Propulsion.

Modelling and Dynamics of Autonomous Marine Vehicles

4. Hydrodynamic forces and moments.
5. Six degrees of freedom of equations of motions.
6. Models for wind waves and ocean currents.

Guidance, Navigation and Control

7. Reference models
8. Trajectory tracking and manoeuvring control
9. Control methods for AMV

Modelling of Power and Propulsion plant

10. Models for propellers and motors
11. Thrust and torque modelling

AVM Applications

12. Autopilot models
13. AMV Propulsion Plant Modelling and Simulation

On completion of the model you're expected to be able to:

• understand the fundamentals if digital twins idea and concepts; including the benefits of using digital twins for Autonomous vessels. Critically evaluate how the digital twin concept is utilized for replicating significant aspects of autonomy.
• assess the strength and weaknesses of the digital representation of the systems, interpret the mathematical equations utilized to replicate significant aspects of autonomy
• implement efficient numerical models to develop dynamic simulation of real AMV problems, including behaviour prediction and performance optimisation using MATLAB/Simulink
• design test procedures to evaluate the model performances. Develop an appropriate experimental research design for an engineering case study taking into account practical limitations.

Assessment and feedback are in the form of modelling and simulation of autonomous vessels, make use of numerical simulation techniques to obtain knowledge and to comprehend the system dynamics, behaviour and response. You're requested to submit two reports, the developed digital twin models, and give a presentation describing your projects.

This module aims to provide you with knowledge and awareness of issues in marine environmental protection, environmentally-friendly shipping and international conventions and regulations of environmental protection and introduce the state-of-the-art technology applied in the industry and future trends. To provide you with knowledge of ship energy management systems and energy resources including the optimisation and integration of machinery and power systems in a sustainable manner.

This module covers:

• IMO MARPOL 73/78 Conventions on engine emission control
• Marine engine emissions control: primary and secondary techniques
• Fuel cell technology for ships, Alternative fuels and energy sources
• Issues of supply and use of low sulphur bunker fuels
• Ballast water management
• Overview of energy issues worldwide and necessity for energy management systems onboard.
• Major energy systems onboard and aspects of their design, manufacture and operation.
• Utilisation of waste heat energy on ships: waste heat recovery.
• Exergy analysis for thermal energy system onboard.

At the end of this module you'll be able to:

• describe the key issues in marine environmental protection
• demonstrate an awareness of regulations concerning marine environmental protection
• show an understanding of the formation and reduction technologies for marine emissions
• be capable of estimating energy consumption and saving for the different energy consumers on ships
• demonstrate an understanding of the on-board procedures and operations which minimise emissions
• demonstrate an understanding of energy systems design and systems integration
• conduct calculations involving marine energy systems components and consumers
• acquire the key skills for estimating energy consumption and saving
• demonstrate an understanding of how to optimise equipment in order to minimise emissions
• demonstrate an understanding of useful work and exergy
• conduct energy and exergy analysis for both components and whole thermodynamic system onboard

This is a coursework-class test assessment module, no exam. There are two coursework assignments and one class test, each contribute 50%, 25% and 25% to the final assessment respectively.

This module aims to demonstrate how the principles and methods of risk analysis are undertaken and reflected in safety assessment. Risk analysis offers a variety of methods, tools and techniques that can be applied in solving problems covering different phases of the life cycle of a vessel (design, construction, operation and end-of-life) and, as such, this module will also elaborate on the practicalities of its application to a range of marine scenarios.

This module covers:

• safety, risk and risk analysis; key terminology; lessons learnt from past experience; human factors.
• formal safety assessment
• hazard Identification
• frequency analysis and consequence modelling
• quantitative risk assessment methods
• risk control and decision support, cost benefit analysis
• human Factors and Safety culture in the maritime
• industry guest lectures addressing topical issues related to maritime safety and risk

At the end of this module you'll be able to:

• understand the concepts and importance of safety, risk and of all requisite fundamentals enabling quantification of risk in the maritime context
• utilise methods and tools undertaking fundamental studies, specific to any component, system or function and in general first-principles implementation to life-cycle design
• understand and have experience of the use of risk analysis in the marine field via related case studies (risk-based ship design, operation and regulation).
• be able to appreciate components of a formal safety assessment and apply it for indicative problems of maritime operations

Assessment and feedback are in the form of one final exam (during Semester-2 diet) and two coursework assignments (assignment-one focusses on accident investigation, assignment-two is a safety assessment case study).

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the response of surface ships, at both a global and a local level. Structural analysis and design will both be discussed.

This module will teach the following:

• introduction to ship structures and structural design principles
• loads acting on ship structures
• longitudinal strength of surface ships
• analysis and design of columns and beam-columns
• analysis and design of un-stiffened and stiffened plated structures
• design of hull girder mid-ship section components from first principles

On completion of this module, you'll have gained:

• an understanding of the nature of ship hull structures, the role of various components and ship structural design issues
• an understanding of load action and its effects at a local and a global level
• an understanding of how to analyse the global response of surface ships
• an understanding of the basics of ship hull girder analysis at a local level
• an understanding of a systematic ship structural design procedure at a global level

Assessment and feedback are in the form of a two-hour exam. You need to gain an overall mark of 50% to pass the module.

This class aims to provide you with an understanding of the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development. The social, environmental and economic impact of development strategies will be identified and the mitigation of negative impacts discussed.

This module aims to introduce the shipbuilding technologies and equipment used in the construction of FPSO vessels. It will also provide an introduction to the ship design process as applied to FPSO vessels.

This module will teach the following:

FPSO Construction:

• overview of facilities for shipbuilding
• the shipbuilding process including the integration of hull construction, outfitting and painting
• the role of product definition

FPSO Design:

• functional requirements and design drivers
• typical layouts and sizes
• hullform and marine system arrangements
• platform-topsides interfaces
• comparison of new-build and conversion approaches
• design process and schedules

On completion of the module the you're expected to be able to:

• understand the technologies and processes involved in constructing FPSO vessels
• appreciate the interaction between design and construction of FPSO vessels, especially in relation to conversions
• understand the relationships between functional requirements and design solutions for FPSO vessels
• demonstrate their awareness of the importance of marine systems and the platform-topsides interface in a successful solution

Assessment and feedback are in the form of coursework. You'll carry out the coursework in groups using the knowledge taught during lectures and tutorials and by referring to the other literature resources.

This class provides a structured introduction to the design management process, issues and tools.

You'll explore the entire process of structuring a risk problem, modelling it, supporting and communicating recommendations, both theoretically and in practice. Risk management is linked with decision analysis in so far as we explore decision-making under uncertainty and it has links with quantitative business analysis as we explore the use of statistics in understanding risk. However, the topic has some unique attributes such as risk communication and the role that experts play in risk assessment.

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) relates to the process of identifying, evaluating, and mitigating the biophysical, social, economic, cultural and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made. This class, run by the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering but open to all MSc and MEng students across the University, introduces the methods used to predict environmental impacts, and evaluates how these may be used to integrate environmental factors into decisions.

The class draws principally on the UK planning context of environmental impact assessment of individual projects (project EIA), but also takes account of EIA experience in other countries and international organisations. Participants evaluate the quality of Environmental Statements (or EIA Reports) and of the EIA process using the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) methodology.

The class discusses how EIA can be used a pro-active design tool for projects and how it can contribute to the enhancement of environmental, social and health issues. Students are also introduced to key principles of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and biodiversity net gain (BNG). Class has the contribution of key practitioners in the field and includes different case studies, such as proposed onshore and offshore windfarms.