Proposed dissertation topics ME

Stage 3 Project Proposals.

Supervisor: Dr A J Murphy and Dr K Pazouki
Estimation of manoeuvring motion of a fully rigged sailing ship.
(More NA student)
--------------------------------------------------------------Sails are becoming an increasingly attractive option for certain types of
ships, due to environmental concerns. A fully rigged sailing ship concept
would drastically reduce emissions, however, studies need to be
undertaken which would prove its worth. The candidate will perform a
manoeuvring study to determine the limits of operation.
Feasibility study of a fully sail driven general cargo ship.
-------------------------------------------------------Sails are becoming an increasingly attractive option for certain types of
ships, due to environmental concerns. A fully rigged sailing ship concept
would drastically reduce emissions, however, studies need to be
undertaken which would prove its worth. The candidate will perform a
feasibility study to determine if the option is viable.

1. Techno-economics assessment of alternative fuel production for

shipping propulsion

2. Life cycle assessment of Bio-LNG production via anaerobic

digestion
Stage 3 Project Proposals.
Supervisor: Dr K Pazouki
Emission modelling performing experiments by high speed
engines
Energy flow architecture of Newcastle University research
vessel
Identification of fuel quality through experiment
Modelling University single cylinder engine by Ricardo Wave
1) Model infilteration of CO2 in to a compartment using
OpenFOAM
2) Evaluate the thermodynamic properties of dense phase
anthropogenic CO2 compositions by using GERG-2008 EOS.
(Student with programming background)
Stage 3 Project Proposals.
Supervisor: Dr F Tagliaferri

Weather routing - mathematical modelling of the optimal course

for a vessel in different conditions with different aims, e.g. avoiding
collisions, avoiding storms, saving fuel, reaching the arrival point
before a competing opponent
Dynamic velocity prediction for sailing yachts computing the
velocity of a sailing yacht in unsteady conditions, e.g during a tack,
and experimental investigation of hydrodynamic interactions
between two yachts sailing in close proximity
Wind forecasting statistical models for integrating wind reports
and wind measurements from a moving vessel.
Stage 3 Project Proposals.
Supervisor: Dr Rose Norman
1. On board energy management strategies to reduce energy consumption and
therefore fuel consumption and emissions. This may be through the use of more
energy efficient auxiliary systems or could be through load management or DC
distribution using variable speed generators.
2. Flywheel energy storage and its potential for smoothing power delivery, reconfiguring
power networks and absorbing regenerative braking energy from electric propulsion
systems
3. Modelling of fuel cell systems for auxiliary power supply on a particular ship. Might
include analysis of the dynamic performance of the supply
4. Tidal energy power take off system modelling of the power take-off for a tidal turbine
system using a conventional generator. Investigation into the conditioning of the
electrical power produced
5. Renewable energy systems for isolated communities which may include powering for
desalination plants from offshore renewable energy. This could also link to hydrogen
production for fuel cells used to power access vessels/small ferries for the community.

Some general topics: Possible Supervisor Dr Ben Wetenhall

Carbon dioxide (CO2) transportation
CO2 pipeline transport
CO2 ship transport
CO2 compression
CO2 liquefaction
CO2 decompression
Heat transfer through pipelines

Stage 3 Project Proposals.

Supervisor: Dr X Meng

N
o
1
2
3
4

BEng
Topics
Numerical study of on-board transportation of
ice particles in ice slurry cooling system
Numerical investigation of slugging flow in
subsea risers using VOF model
Numerical investigation of slugging flow in
subsea risers using two-fluid model
Maxsurf modellings and resistance
calculations for ROV-A case study

Streams
ME
OE
OE
NA

Proposed dissertation topics NA or SC

Stage 3 Project Proposals.
Supervisor: Dr Maryam Haroutunian
1.
Design optimisation for improving the performance of
underwater vehicles
Unmanned Underwater Vehicles have existed for more than half a
century. However, when compared with marine animals, these
vehicles fall behind significantly in terms of their performance. How
would it be possible to improve their capability, especially in terms
of endurance and manoeuvrability by optimising their design,
propulsion or manoeuvring systems or fuel?
2.
An interface to reduce the possibility of loss of stability
in service condition
There are substantial amount of rules, regulations and precautions
to prevent loss of stability for ships. Yet, there are still incidents in
which ships capsize especially during manoeuvring. Why? What are
the major contributing factors to these disasters? How is it possible
to monitor the stability and reduce the risk even further?
Stage 3 Project Proposals.
Supervisor: Prof Richard Birmingham
Suitable for Small craft or Nav. Arch students
1. Alternative proposals to hull subdivision for sail training
vessels
Note: On this project the student would work closely with the Blyth
Tall Ship Charity who own a 24m sailing vessel, the Haabet, and are
preparing it for a voyage to the Antarctic.
Background: To enhance the probability of survival of a vessel that
has suffered severe structural damage due to collision or grounding
internal watertight bulkheads are required. These ensure that any
flooding is confined to one compartment. However such subdivision
can severely impact on the operation of the vessel in normal
conditions, and can be virtually impossible to retro-fit to older
wooden vessels trying to achieve rule compliance for operation as a
sail training vessel.
Objective: To develop and demonstrate the viability of an
alternative to hull subdivision for sail training craft that would have
an equivalent level of safety and survivability.

Method: This project would involve:

Review of the UK requirements applying to sail training
vessels to ensure safety and survivability in the event of hull
damage.
Survey of similar requirements applying in other jurisdictions.
Theoretical development of several alternative solutions that
could achieve an equivalent level of safety and survivability as
that achieved by subdivision.
A case study, undertaken by working closely with the Blyth Tall
Ship Charity, which would develop in detail one proposal and
prepare appropriate plans for its implementation on the
Haabet, this leading to conclusions as to its technical
feasibility and economic viability.
Make recommendations for amendments to regulations in
general, and for the way forward for Blyth Tall Ship Charity in
particular.

2. The unintended consequences of regulations in the

fishing industry
Background: the fishing industry, and in particular the design of
fishing vessels, is tightly constrained by numerous regulations which
are set out by a range of bodies, each with different objectives.
These objectives include the safety of fishermen, the safety of
fishing vessels, the protection of the environment and, significantly,
the sustainability of fish stocks. Different regulations are applied to
different categories of fishing vessels in order that smaller vessel, or
those operating in more sheltered waters are not subject to
excessively onerous regulations. The categories are often
designated by length, but other methods of subdividing the fleet are
also used. As a result of the regulatory classifications it is often
advantageous for an owner to have a vessel designed and built that
is technically within one category (with few requirements), but that
can operate as if it were in another category. Versions of such rule
beaters can be found all over the world.
Objective: Devise ways to classify the fishing fleet for regulatory
purposes that avoid unintended impacts on the design and safe
operation of the vessels.
Method: this project would involve:
A review of the current regulations and fleet categories in the
UK.
A study of examples of cases where regulations have led to
the design of fishing vessels with unexpected features, due to
efforts to beat the rules, and the potential implications for
safety. These examples could include current and historical

cases form the UK, as well as cases from other countries,

including Japan.
A theoretical consideration of the inter-relationship between
regulations and the design process, and from this develop a
matrix that shows the range of ways vessels can be
categorised and how each can impact on fishing vessel design
and operation.
Develop proposals for best practice in the development of
regulations, and identify ways to categorise the fleet that
would achieve the regulators objectives while minimising the
impact on the safety of new designs and operations.