Engineers at China State Shipbuilding Corp, the world's largest shipbuilder, have developed one of the world's largest models of rotor sail, aiming to tap the burgeoning global market of green ships.
The rotor sail system, which is yet to be named, has been designed at the Luoyang Ship Material Research Institute, and has undergone a series of ground-based, full-system tests.
It marks a major breakthrough in China's efforts to ensure a leading position in green ship technology, and will facilitate the global shipping industry's endeavor to reduce carbon emission.
The Luoyang institute is part of CSSC and specializes in shipbuilding materials and techniques. Engineers at the institute used their expertise in green composite materials and wind turbine blades when designing the rotor sail.
With a maximum rotating speed of 180 revolutions per minute, each of the new rotor sails is able to produce a top thrust of more than 355 kilonewtons.
The sail measures 5 meters in diameter and 35 meters in height, placing it among the largest rotor sail systems in the world.
Also known as Flettner rotor, a rotor sail is a large cylinder mounted upright on a ship's deck and mechanically spun. The effect of this spinning area in contact with the wind flowing around it creates a thrust effect that is used to propel the ship.
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