Fuel Efficiency Controller

DIMAR-TEC's unique Fuel Efficiency Controller

While supplying measurement devices for vessel performance optimization to the marine industry DIMAR-TEC experienced difficulties to interface the information of existing sensors on board and combine the data to relevant KPI values. Therefore DIMAR-TEC developed our own system, the Fuel Efficiency Controller FEC.

DIMAR-TEC Fuel Efficiency Controller is designed to work with standard Fleet Management software solutions like MESPAS to handle the data storage, long term history views, communication with shore office and integration with other electronic data as vessel noon report etc.
For this task the FEC creates regular data files in CSV format to be collected by vessel's document management system.

FEC performance short description:
  • provides reliable and timely data (accuracy will be determined based on sensor quality in use)
  • calculates KPI's to identify saving potentials on vessel & fleet level
  • indicates mal-functions on vessel level enabling immediate action
  • provides analysis tool for optimization on vessel level
Savings point of view:
  • Saving by Fleet comparison: difference between similar vessels - potential 5~10 %
  • Saving on Engine level: Timing, power balancing, optimized ignition pressure, wear & tear
  • potential 1~3 %
  • Saving on Propeller & Hull efficiency: Fouling, Trim & autopilot optimization - potential 3~5 %
  • Saving on Nautical operation: e.g. reduce by 0.5 rpm, course change of 2º - potential 2~4 %
  • Trend analysis as a tool for Condition-Based Maintenance leads to lower spare consumption, less service expenses. Increased vessel availability and reliability enables higher charter rates.
Cost point of view:
  • FEC uses existing sensors on board
  • FEC uses existing communication structure fleet-to-shore
  • FEC is designed for installation by vessel crew – no external service required
Accuracy point of view:
  • full SFOC data correction according to ISO 3046 for accurate & effective fleet comparison
  • vessel-specific system layout includes accuracy / tolerance calculation evaluating quality of existing sensors & systems on board
Efficiency point of view:
  • excellent due to unique concept
Future technical development point of view:
  • full flexibility as hardware/software interface design guarantees full compatibility with future software developments
Installation process point of view:
  • fill out vessel evaluation sheet (for pre-programming)
  • prepare sensor cabling according to cable plan
  • install FEC switch box, connect cables, switch on power supply
  • define network address for file saving location
Operational point of view:
  • full automated data collection & calculation
  • downgrading to manual data input possible for all values (to save sensors or install them later)
Evaluation point of view:
  • fleet level
  • identify non-satisfying overall performance (by comparison)
  • monitor hull efficiency (by trending)
  • monitor hull propeller (by trending)
  • emission management (e.g. carbondioxide certificate trading)
  • vessel level
  • M/E performance (by consumption)
  • Service & maintenance evaluation (performance before & after)
  • use for trim optimization
  • use for throttle optimization – improve SFOC vs. vessel speed
  • use for autopilot settings optimization
  • automatic level
  • by SFOC deviation alarm (24h monitoring of main engine performance)
  • by engine overload alarm (e.g. operation in shallow water)
Value-for-money point of view:
  • ==> you decide!

Download FEC article