MARICO CPU - NTNU

MARICO Engineering AS

MARICO CPU Subsea Closed Cycle AIP Electric Power Utilities

For further details please contact: Professor Maurice F. White MARICO Engineering AS Breidablikk Gård N7019 TRONDHEIM Norway Tel.: +47 918 97 118 e-mail: [email protected] Home page: http://www.ivt.ntnu.no/~maurice

MARICO CPU vers: 19.07.2011


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- Marine Engineering Consultants

Closed cycle thermo-electric power utilities A range of closed cycle thermo-electric power utilities is currently being developed by MARICO Engineering AS, Trondheim, Norway, for use in the offshore, subsea, shipping and aerospace industries. Such systems may also be of considerable interest for military applications as they are hermetically sealed and therefore do not require access to the atmosphere. Such systems have very low atmospheric emissions, and the acoustic and thermal signatures are less than 10 % that of a conventional power plant. MARICO thermo-electric power generators are available in a range of sizes to suit a variety of different industrial applications as indicated below. Three classes of system are under development using state-of-the-art technology. The design goal for all systems is continuous operation without intervention or refuelling for a minimum of three years.

Class A: 1 μW – 1000 kW RTG radioisotope thermoelectric generators These use current space craft technology utilising an electro-thermal reactor with, for example, tritium as the power source. For high temperature applications other power sources are available. A half-life of 12 years make this concept suitable for many industrial applications, as spent fuel cells can be transported as normal industrial waste in steel drums. An added advantage is the very low level of atmospheric emissions compared with a fossil fuel powered generator. Class A systems are currently being designed with a lifetime of 12 years continuous operation prior to service and refuelling, operating in environments within a temperature range -100 ºC to 160 ºC and pressure from absolute zero to 650 bar. A new version of this Class A turbo generator which is patent pending has now been developed with partial support from the STATOIL Oil Company in Norway (Illustration not shown). This MARICO Micro-Turbo Generator was built and tested in Trondheim and develops 30 Watts at 9 Volts for battery charging on a Pressure and Temperature measurement system down an oil well where the operating conditions are 650 bar and 170 degrees Celsius.

Class A: Radioisotope thermoelectric turbogenerator MARICO CPU vers: 19.07.2011


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Class B: 500 kW – 2 MW MARICO Watermota thermo-fluid engine This power utility concept is based on the MARICO Watermota engine, a new design of thermo-fluid gas (or liquid fuel) engine. Fuel can be either natural gas, hydrogen or liquid diesel. For normal operation down to water depths of about 150 m a snorkel will be used. At greater depths a closed cycle arrangement can be supplied using a fuel system consisting of liquid hydrogen and oxygen. Exhaust products are ejected using a compressor. The Marico Watermota offers considerable advantages over a conventional internal combustion engine. Conversion of reciprocating to rotary energy is achieved without the use of a crankshaft. Benefits are therefore:-

Higher power-to-weight-ratio compared to a conventional gas or diesel engine Negligible free dynamic forces and moments compared with a conventional IC engine Low wear rates and long operating life due to low speed operation.

The design, which is patented, is very compact and has a cylindrical configuration. A 1 kW motor generator unit can, for example, be designed to fit into a standard 5 inch ID well tubing for subsea applications. An ultra lightweight version can be offered using state-of-the-art ceramics technology for thermally loaded components, and Kevlar fibre reinforced composite for structural and power transmission components. A patented microprocessor controlled fuel injection system will help to provide high efficiency and low exhaust emissions. A 5 kW MARICO Watermota combined heat and power utility is currently operating on methane produced from cow manure at a site in Northern Norway! A more high-tech version will be operated on hydrogen.

Class C: 1 MW – 125 MW NEREUS closed cycle helium turbine This design of autonomous power utility is based on conventional industrial power turbine technology using a single shaft machine. A 2-stage compressor together with intercooler, aftercooler and recuperator provide good cycle efficiency. High reliability is achieved using oil lubricated bearings and a conventional industrial 3-phase gearbox driven generator operating at 50 or 60 Hz. More advanced versions use magnetic levitation for oil-free operation. A prototype has been in operation for several years. An improved version is currently being developed as a 125 MWe land based utility. Site preparation is due to start January 2007 and installation and comissioning are scheduled to begin in July 2007. Design and development of a 10 MW marine version for shipboard and subsea applications is ongoing. The main advantages over a conventional open cycle turbogenerator or diesel generator are:-

Low volume. A 10 MW HTR-GT package needs a machinery space of 10x10x10m, which includes enough fuel for 3 years continuous operation at design power.



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Hermetically sealed system. This is an air independent power system (AIP) and can therefore conveniently be used subsea or in a land-based bunker.

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Environmentally friendly design. Very low atmospheric emissions, and low thermal and acoustic signatures. (Less than 10 % of the IR and acoustic signature of a conventional diesel power plant).

Class B: 500 kW – 2 MW MARICO Watermota thermo-fluid gas engine



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Class C: 1 – 125 MW NEREUS HTR gas turbine closed cycle helium turbogenerator

For further details or a quotation please contact: Professor Maurice F. White Rotating Machinery Specialists AS Breidablikk Gård N7019 TRONDHEIM Norway Tel.: +47 918 97 118 e-mail: [email protected] Home page: http://www.ivt.ntnu.no/~maurice



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