Marine, Offshore and
Subsea Technology Facilities
We have a wide range of marine technology facilities at our disposal for teaching and research.
Cutting edge facilities
We have a variety of cutting-edge marine technology facilities that are available for you to hire. Within the School of Engineering you'll be able to work in the . This facility includes:
- Emerson Cavitation Tunnel
- multi-purpose flume
- slime farm
- Flow Cell
- Princess Royale (our research vessel)
Teaching facilities
Hydrodynamics laboratory
The Hydrodynamics Laboratory located on campus in the Armstrong Building comprises three facilities: the Towing Tank, Wind, Wave, Current Tank, and the Flow Cell. You can use these facilities individually or combined together.
Models and workshop capabilities
We have dedicated workshops that provide maximum flexibility in setting up models, jigs, and fixtures, and adapting test programmes to suit client needs.
We are able to work with models provided by clients. We can also draw on a range of highly skilled external model makers to manufacture models to client designs, ready for us to adapt to our test equipment.
Please contact us to discuss the options that are available.
Instrumentation
We offer a wide range of instrumentation, which we adapt to suit individual test scenarios. This includes:
- a range of load cells
- six axis devices
- vectrino 3D ultrasonic water sensors
- pitot tubes
- differential pressure sensors
- the Qualisys IR Tracking System
For further information, contact:
Net Zero Maritime Systems (marine renewable energy and marine propulsion)
Tel: +44 0191 208 6722
More about the Hydrodynamics laboratory
Towing tank
We use the Towing Tank mainly for calm water, wave resistance, and seakeeping experiments.
Since its construction in 1951 the Towing Tank at Â鶹´«Ã½ has been in continuous use. It's regularly updated, including the fitting of wave-making and electronic recording equipment.
The wavemakers generate regular waves of up to 0.12m in height and wave periods in the range of 0.5-2 seconds. They're also capable of generating long-crested random seas using a variety of wave spectra.
A monorail carriage system that has a maximum speed of 3m/s in its normal mode tows models. The carriage can be remotely or manually controlled, while the 32-channel data retrieval system is online to a PC.
Upgrades
Recent upgrades include the installation of a state-of-the-art motor control system to enhance very slow speed and high-speed testing capabilities as well as the latest wavemaker control software.
A recent innovation is a modern telemetry system which allows data sampling without any wired connections between the carriage and shore-based equipment.
Specifications
- Tank length: 37 m
- Width: 3.7 m
- Water depth: 1.25 m
- Normal Carriage velocity: 3 m/s
Wave capability
- Period range: 0.5 - 2 Sec
- Wave height: 0.02 - 0.12m (period dependent)
Wind, wave and current tank
The combined Wind, Wave, and Current Tank is one of only a handful of such facilities in the world. Its design allows for use with any, or all, of the components with equal emphasis.
The Wind, Wave, and Current Tank was designed with small scale model testing for renewable energy devices in mind. However, it is also suitable for standard resistance, seakeeping and wind loading experiments.
Testing capabilities
The wind, wave, and current tank is capable of testing:
- wind loading on wet and dry structures
- resistance measurements
- seakeeping tests
- combined wind/wave/current interaction
- flow visualisation experiments
Specification
- Flume length: 11 m
- Width: 1.8 m
- Normal water depth: 1 m
- Air clearance: 1 m
- Central measurement section: 3 m
- Maximum water velocity: 1 m/s
- Maximum wind velocity: 20 m/s
Wave capability
- Spectra: Pierson-Moskowitz, JONSWAP, Bretschneider, Neumann
- Period range: 0.8 - 4sec
- Wave height: 0.02 - 0.12m (period dependent)
Flow Cell
The Flow Cell simulates the fully developed turbulent boundary layer developing over the hull of high-speed ships.
Constructed in 2005 as part of the AMBIO project, it investigates the use of nanotechnology in biofouling resistant coatings. A recent upgrade to the measuring section allows for usage of a range of test plates.
Instrumentation and equipment upgrades have kept the facility at the leading edge of research activity.
Microscope slides are covered with the trial coating and then different types of organisms are settled on them. The slides are introduced into the boundary layer and the wall shear stress is measured.
The Flow Cell also measures the adhesion strength of cyprid barnacles in a saltwater flow environment. This is done by simulating the boundary layers developing on a 140m vessel travelling at speeds up to 40 knots.
Specification
- Maximum water velocity: 13.4 m/s
- Maximum wall shear stress: 256 Pa
- Measurement section: 1500 x 292 x 20 mm
- Pump power rating: 15 kW
- Pump capacity: 90 litres/s at 10m head
- Operating temperature range: 28 °C to 3 °C
- Medium: fresh and salt water
Jones Marine Engineering Laboratory
The Jones Marine Engineering Laboratory is primarily used for our undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, consultancy, and research.
Each year students carry out experimental and practical projects in the laboratories. Teaching includes work relating to:
- marine diesel engine construction
- operation and performance assessment
- heat exchanger design
- exhaust gas emission measurement and analysis
The laboratory has a diesel engine test bed which has been adapted to operate using different fuels. This allows research into methods to improve engine efficiency, fuel consumption, and emissions.
Instrumentation
In addition to traditional instruments for engine tests, the Jones Laboratory has state-of-the-art portable engine emissions measurement equipment.
This equipment is capable of determining all kinds of species from the engine exhaust gases such as NO, NO2, HC, CO, SO2, CO2, O2.
Workshop capabilities
The laboratory is fully supported by marine, mechanical and electronic technicians. It has facilities for fabrication and machining to allow test rigs and prototype equipment creation in-house.
This provides the maximum flexibility and adapting test programmes to suit client needs.
Research facilities
Marine Technology Special Collection
The Marine Technology Special Collection (MTSC) is a unique historical resource of marine technical documents, journals and published works from British shipbuilding, marine engine building, ship repairing, and ship breaking industries.
The collection spans the mid-19th century to 2000, with an emphasis on North East England. Collated by Professor Ian Buxton it is now available at the University Library:
SeaFront
Synergistic Fouling Control Technologies. Sponsors: European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme. Project website:
SONIC
Suppression Of underwater Noise Induced by Cavitation. Sponsors: European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme.
TARGETS
This project was STREP funded by the EU 7th Framework Programme (FP).
Research vessel replacement
An innovative replacement of Â鶹´«Ã½’s research vessel, funded by Â鶹´«Ã½ and Â鶹´«Ã½ School of Marine Science and Technology Alumni.
STREAMLINE
. This was a large-scale IP funded by the EU 7th Framework Programme (FP).
Port of London Authority (PLA)
We helped with the propeller design, performance, and cavitation testing for the new harbour patrol vessel 'Lambeth'.
AMBIO
Advanced Nano-structured surfaces for control of bio-fouling. IP funded by the EU 6th Framework Programme (FP).
Swirl-Jet
This project studied swirling jets in fields of seabed excavations, vessel propulsion and underwater cleaning. It was a CRAFT project funded by the EU 6th Framework Programme (FP).
Cavitation research
This project looked at the effect of cavitation on the performance of a podded propulsor during ice-milling. It was PhD research, sponsored by Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.
FASTPOD
Fast ship applications for pod drives. It was STREP funded by the EU 5th Framework Programme (FP).
Tidal stream rotor performance research
An investigation of tidal stream rotor performance, which the EPSRC-RNET Programme funded.
OPTIPOD
This project looked at the optimum design and implementation of azimuthing pods for the safe and efficient propulsion of ships. It was STREP funded by the EU 5th Framework Programme (FP).
Marine surfaces research
This project researched the drag, boundary layer and roughness characteristics of marine surfaces with anti-fouling coatings. It was PhD research, jointly funded by International Paint Ltd and EPSRC.
FLOWMART
Fast low wash maritime transportation. STREP funded by the EU 5th Framework Programme (FP).
Dynamometer Specifications
Type 1 - Kempf & Remmers H33 propeller dynamometer
|
Max thrust |
± 2943 N |
|
Max torque |
± 147 Nm |
|
Max rpm |
4000 rpm |
Type 2 - Kempf & Remmers R45 with vertical adjustable drive system
Suitable for placement inside of hull models.
|
Max thrust |
± 687 N |
|
Max torque |
39 Nm |
|
Max rpm |
4000 rpm |
Propellor testing
The Tunnel allows us to conduct conventional and unconventional propeller performance tests, including shaft inclination in three axes.
This facility can host boundary layer and drag tests with flat planes, submersible bodies, and propellers with coating.
Propeller testing in simulated ice blocks.