A Novel Water Glycol Cooling System for our Explorer Yacht
- Jul 17, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 27, 2023
We have a water-glycol cooling system issue with the build of our Explorer Yacht, Vanguard. We have implemented cutting-edge hybrid diesel-electric propulsion technology to achieve a litany of advantages over what has traditionally been possible.
However, there is a downside. In this instance, we need to install a Water/Glycol cooling system as described in an earlier blog. This will need both storage tanks and a method of heat dissipation. What we would like to avoid is an additional duplicated sea water calling system in the engine room with attendant leak and failure potential. A passive cooling arrangement would be much more reliable. We are fortunate that our yard, Naval Yachts, is keen to work through these issues and develop a robust solution.
Water Glycol Cooling System Installation: The Problem
We need to install water/glycol storage tanks low down in the hull form. Not to be confused with the water/glycol cooling system used on the diesel engines. These shall remain as stand-alone systems.
The new tanks will hold the cooling needs of electric drives, batteries, gearbox and hybrid drive, gear oil coolers when they are unused. They will also hold a reserve reservoir when these systems are in use.
Being in contact with the underwater hull form will facilitate the transfer of excess heat from the coolant to the seawater. They will also help us significantly reduce the use of seawater within the engine room.
Our calculations revealed that we
need approximately 6kW of thermal cooling capacity per tank. Under static fluid conditions (such as at anchor), we need 1 m2 of tank/seawater surface to contact the fluid. I’m guessing at the system capacity, but with small-bore pipes, the system volume is probably less than 100 litres.
The Solution for the new water-glycol cooling system
Final design (Port Side only) utilizing space across 3 frames to produce elongated tanks with twice the surface area exposed to seawater and about 30% additional capacity.
Naval Yachts initially designed two small double-bottom tanks. These sit between the engines, protected by the skegs. Each tank capacity was 150 liters with a surface area of 0.8 m2. However, for a 6 kW cooling capacity per tank, we need a larger surface area. Extending the tanks towards the stern creates an odd shape, but it’s liquid storage, so who cares. That adds an extra 0.8 m2 of tankage surface, which, at 1.6 m2 total, is now larger than needed.
Looking at the tank shape, we should place the inlet at the rear where the tanks are shallow, outlet at the forward end where it is deepest to minimize aeration. We will also install baffle plates internally to direct the flow past the hull surface and prevent bypass. With 100 liters required by pipework, the reserve in the tanks is 310 liters in the port tanks and the same is for starboard. Ample volume for a thermal buffer, so the temperature is easier to control.
Water Glycol Cooling System: Our Conclusion
I live a life of perpetual hope. This water-glycol cooling system should facilitate removing nearly all the saltwater piping from within the engine room. Coolers will no longer need regular cleaning being free of fouling. Our internal systems should also be free from potential ice damage. If this is not a first, then it is rare so let us see how it works!
Fingers crossed!
Chris Leigh-Jones
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