aalto1 untyped-item.component.html
The detrimental impact of biofilm on ship fuel consumption and CO2 emissions
Loading...
Access rights
openAccess
CC BY-NC-ND
CC BY-NC-ND
Creative Commons license
Except where otherwised noted, this item's license is described as openAccess
publishedVersion
URL
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
This publication is imported from Aalto University research portal.
View publication in the Research portal (opens in new window)
View/Open full text file from the Research portal (opens in new window)
View publication in the Research portal (opens in new window)
View/Open full text file from the Research portal (opens in new window)
Unless otherwise stated, all rights belong to the author. You may download, display and print this publication for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Date
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Language
en
Pages
14
Series
Energy Conversion and Management: X, Volume 28
Abstract
Biofilm presents a significant challenge in the maritime transport industry by increasing surface roughness, leading to higher fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study employs a comprehensive lifecycle assessment (LCA) methodology to evaluate the environmental impact of biofouling, integrating operational, maintenance, and fuel production phases. The analysis incorporates condition-specific Specific Fuel Oil Consumption (SFOC) values and numerical simulations based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) approach. Two representative ship types, a Very Large Crude Carrier (KVLCC2) and a Handymax Bulk Carrier (BC), are analyzed under eight fouling conditions to quantify their impacts on hydrodynamic performance, fuel oil consumption, and CO2 emissions. The results reveal that operational emissions dominate total lifecycle Global Warming Potential (GWP), with significant variations across fouling conditions. Maintenance emissions, although minor, play a critical role in mitigating resistance induced by biofouling. Fuel production emissions further contribute to lifecycle impacts. The LCA framework enables a holistic understanding of emissions trade-offs between hull cleaning and operational fouling, offering a data-driven basis for evaluating long-term environmental benefits. This study highlights the critical importance of biofouling management strategies, such as hull cleaning and antifouling coatings, to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce lifecycle GWP.
Description
Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Authors
Keywords
Other note
Citation
Degiuli, N, Martić, I, Grlj, C G & Zhang, M 2025, 'The detrimental impact of biofilm on ship fuel consumption and CO 2 emissions', Energy Conversion and Management: X, vol. 28, 101296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2025.101296