Intelligent marine engines health assessment system based on digital twins and data driven models
ABOUT i-HEATS
The i-HEATS project aims to develop an intelligent engine condition monitoring and diagnostics system based on first-principles digital twins and data-driven models. The project has direct application to ship and land power plants, endeavouring to provide a game-change in the condition monitoring of internal combustion engines. I4.0 technologies will be employed leading to the development of intelligent tools, including digital twins, deep learning, sensors fusion, and cloud computing.
The novel areas of the project include the use of a unique, custom made, data acquisition system for measuring the instantaneous shaft torque, storage and analysis of acquired data locally and on cloud (edge/cloud computing), a first-principle based engine digital twin integrating thermodynamic and crankshaft/shafting system dynamics models, data-driven models based on deep learning techniques complementing the digital twins to offer real-time predictive capabilities, developed data-driven model to identify and rectify inaccuracies of critical sensors of the measured parameters (sensor fusion), data-driven algorithms to monitor engine condition and provide diagnostics based on the measured instantaneous torque and other critical parameters. The prototype i-HEATS system will be developed and tested by integrating the above tools with appropriate hardware and user interfaces and subsequently will be extensively tested in lab and full-scale conditions leading to a pre-commercial version. The developed system will be capable of monitoring engine condition and providing timely diagnostics based on indicators relevant to performance, maintenance, emissions, and operating costs. The i-HEATS system will be implemented for the two typical engine types used for ship power plants. This project provides a sophisticated and innovative engine condition monitoring and diagnostics system with tangible benefits on fuel efficiency, environmental footprint reduction, engine reliability improvement, and the reduction of the operating fuel and the maintenance costs. The i-HEATS project advances and innovation will pave the way towards the development of future smart ship systems.
