Increasing the operational reliability of a ship by using a composite impeller in the event of hydrophore pump failure

Abstract

The time-consuming technological process of manufacturing impellers and the high production costs are the reason for the search for alternative materials and manufacturing methods. In this paper, based on a literature analysis, the performance of a pump with an impeller that was manufactured by an incremental method from polyethylene terephthalate with an admixture of glycol and carbon fibre (PETG CF) was selected and studied. Operation tests were conducted on the ship’s rotodynamic pump test bench. The composite impeller pump was shown to have an efficiency at the selected printing parameters of 26,23%, comparable to a tin bronze impeller, which has an efficiency of 27,7%. The maximum pump useful power with the impellers tested was 337 W at a flow rate of 4.42 m3 /h. The results confirm that, with a filament layer height of 0.12 mm and 100% fill in the four print contours, the pump characteristics obtained are consistent with those of the reference impeller. This fact ensures continuous operation of the ship’s pump for 48 hours which makes the chosen manufacturing method a reliable emergency method of impeller repair in offshore operations.

Exploring the Potential Application of an Innovative Post-Weld Finishing Method in Butt-Welded Joints of Stainless Steels and Aluminum Alloys

“…In the next stage of the study, metallographic analysis [17,39] was conducted to assess changes in the microstructure [40,41], microhardness [42], and degree of hardening within the surface layer [43] induced by the application of the innovative post-weld finishing method.…”

Analysis of Surface Texture and Roughness in Composites Stiffening Ribs Formed by SPIF Process

“…By strategically placing the ribs, it is possible to control the deformation of the composite structure under load and achieve the desired shape. Furthermore, adding short carbon fibers as a reinforcement material can further increase the composite structure’s strength and stiffness [ 9 ]. In addition to the mechanical benefits, stiffening ribs can control a composite structure’s overall shape and contour [ 10 ].…”