Installed on a new 80,700-dwt tanker, the first unit of the SSG (Super-economical Shaft Generator) system developed by IHI (Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.), Japan, has demonstrated excellent performance through the ship's official trial runs, meeting all of its design expectations.
The SSG system is an exhaust gas turbogenerator mechanically connected with the main shaft of the propulsion engine through a reduction gearing. The first unit was employed for the tanker Neptune Pegasus delivered recently to Neptune Orient Lines, Singapore.
Through the performance tests, it was confirmed that the surplus turbine output is fed back to the propulsion system and that in case of turbine output shortage the power from the main engine can assist the generator to drive. Thus, it has been proven that the steam obtained from waste heat is effectively transformed into power and that the power is transmitted through the reduction gearing.
The propulsion machinery of the Neptune Pegasus is a 15,000-bhp IHI S.E.M.T. Pielstick 10-PC4V diesel engine. With the engine operating at a 75-percent-rated output (11,250 bhp), approximately 220 bhp surplus was fed back to the propulsion system after having completely provided the electricity required for the ship.