- #1
gcomyn
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Does anyone know how big a 20MW synchronous motor would be to drive a ship's propellor?
Size of a 20MW Synchronous Motor for Ship Propulsion
- Thread starter gcomyn
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- Electrical Propulsion Ship
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the size of a 20MW synchronous motor suitable for driving a ship's propeller. Participants explore various examples, including motors used in nuclear submarines and specific ships like the P&O ship "Aurora." The scope includes theoretical considerations and practical applications in marine propulsion systems.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant inquires about the size of a 20MW synchronous motor for ship propulsion.
- Another participant questions the size of motors used in nuclear submarines, indicating a search for comparative information.
- Reference is made to the P&O ship "Aurora," which uses 20MW motors, but specific size details are not readily available.
- A participant shares a link regarding nuclear submarine motors, noting that they drive the propeller shaft directly with a hot water turbine rather than an electric motor, and mentions that the power output is approximately 26MW.
- Another participant provides a datasheet link for the "Aurora," suggesting that if the drawing is to scale, it may indicate the motor size.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on the specific size of a 20MW synchronous motor, and multiple viewpoints regarding motor sizes in different applications remain present.
Contextual Notes
Some claims depend on the interpretation of available datasheets and the accuracy of scale in provided drawings. There is also a lack of direct measurements or specifications for the motors discussed.
- #2
berkeman
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How big are nuclear submarine motors? Off to google I go...
- #3
gcomyn
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The P&O ship "Aurora" uses 20 MW motors but I can't find how big they are anywhere...
- #4
berkeman
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I googled nuclear submarine motor size, and got lots of hits. Here's one of the first ones -- pretty interesting info:berkeman said:
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/ssn-688.htm
Oops, I just reallized that they drive the propeller shaft directly with the hot water turbine, not via an electric motor. My bad. But 35,000 shp is about 26MW, which is in your size range. Hmmm, what else uses a motor that size... Maybe an old diesel submarine. I'd head off to google again, but I need to get back to work...here comes the boss!
- #5
gcomyn
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"Aurora" datasheet here
http://www.solentwaters.co.uk/Article%20Chest/Cruise%20Ship%20Diesel%20Electric%20Propulsion.pdf
http://www.solentwaters.co.uk/Article%20Chest/Cruise%20Ship%20Diesel%20Electric%20Propulsion.pdf
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- #6
berkeman
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Well if that drawing is to scale, then that gives you the motor size, right? Is that what you're looking for?gcomyn said:
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