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This paper introduces a novel method of predicting future concentrations of elements in lubrication oil, for the aim of identifying possible anomalies in continued operation aboard a large marine vessel. The research carried out is supported by a discussion of previous work in the field of fault detection in tribological mechanisms, although with a focus upon two stroke marine diesel engines. The approach taken implements an n-dimensional Markov chain model with a singular weighted connection between layers. The approach leverages the computational simplicity of the Markov chain and combines this with a weighted decision calculated from the correlational coefficients between variables, with the notable assumption that interconnectivity between elements is not constant. The approach is compared to an established method, which is the Kalman filter, with promising results for future work and extension of the method to include expert knowledge in the decision making process. Index Terms--Engines, fault diagnosis, marine equipment.

A multiobjective genetic algorithm (MOGA) is used to compare submarine propulsion concepts and seek out tradeoffs in their design. Concepts include the novel integrated electric propulsion (IEP) concept and hybrid steam turbine and electric motor drive. System design and supervisory controllers are optimized under multiple operating conditions to give maximum propulsive efficiency. The advantages of each propulsive topology are compared, along with tradeoffs in their design. The hybrid steam turbine/electric motor drive is found to give superior propulsive efficiency compared with pure mechanical and pure electrical drive topologies. The optimal hybrid drive system design favors a large steam turbine and smaller electric motor, which is utilized during slow cruise speeds and top speed cruising only. Optimization of the supervisory controller simultaneously with the system design is found to give improvements in overall propulsive system efficiency. Index Terms--Hybrid drive, integrated electric propulsion (IEP), multiobjective genetic algorithm (MOGA), submarine propulsion, supervisory controller optimization.

Burmeister & Wain (B&W), with nearly a century of expertise in shipbuilding, is now part of MAN Diesel & Turbo whose marine low-speed business unit is located in Copenhagen, Denmark. [...]