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Technology aims to reduce pollution and noise in small and medium-sized vessels, with a focus on sustainability and efficiency
Scientists claim to have created a system capable of replacing traditional ones diesel engines of ferries by pneumatic propellers, with the promise of energy efficiency and less environmental impact.
The new model, according to those responsible for the study, was able to generate enough power to operate a vessel on a round trip route, within Finland's maritime transport system.
Replacement of conventional diesel engines
The experiment involved replacing two diesel engines with two fuel-powered engines. ar, each with a capacity of 250 kW.
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This power was enough to complete the route defined by the researchers. The study was published in the journal Energy Conversion and Management and focused on evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of replacing the current ferry propulsion system.
According to the authors, “pneumatic propulsion, although unconventional, holds promise as a sustainable and energy-efficient alternative to conventional marine engines, especially for short-sea ferry operations".
Diesel engines are widely used today due to their reliability and robustness. However, in addition to requiring large volumes of fuel, they are noisy and responsible for significant pollutant emissions.
The researchers argue that air motors offer a cleaner and quieter solution.
Pneumatic system operation
Pneumatic propellers work by using compressed air stored in high-pressure tanks.
This air is then released into vane engines, which drive naval thrusters. The idea is to replace the use of fossil fuels with compressed air as a source of mechanical energy.
Professor Abdul Hai Alami, lead author of the study and a lecturer at the University of Sharjah, explained that air engines could be integrated into the structure of the ferry itself, using the hull to store air or by adapting auxiliary tanks. “This also increases the buoyancy of the vessel,” he noted.
The team's methodology was based on experimental results and calculations based on polytropic relations, which describe the behavior of air from compression to its use in generating movement.
Energy Conversion and Management (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2025.119613
Real raft application and practical results
The study did not remain just theoretical. The researchers applied the technology to a ferry built in 1985 that was still operating with diesel engines.
The vessel was modernized with new pneumatic engines, and the proposed route was successfully completed.
Kaj Jansson, co-author of the study and ferry manufacturer at K. J Marineconsulting Ab, oversaw the entire process of replacing and testing the new system. “Pneumatic propulsion is the future of fixed route navigation”, He stated.
Jansson highlights that ferries operate with predictability of load, destination and pace, which facilitates the adoption of alternative systems, such as air engines.
He believes that, in addition to being cleaner and quieter, these systems are less susceptible to variations in the price of oil, which brings economic advantages.
Technical performance and environmental impact
According to the study, pneumatic engines demonstrated performance equivalent to diesel engines, meeting the vessel's operational requirements.
Furthermore, the modular design allows the system to be adapted to different operational needs, meeting the demand for more flexible and environmentally friendly transportation.
From an environmental point of view, the replacement brings important benefits. The impact generated by the ferry's operation has fallen significantly, and operating costs have also been reduced.
The authors also conducted a life cycle analysis of the modernized vessel. The conclusion was that the pneumatic system is more economically advantageous, especially considering the fuel savings and the reduced need for maintenance, thanks to the simpler structure of the engines.
Economy and financial return
The research indicates an estimated savings of US$73.000 by replacing the engines, considering the complete life cycle of the vessel. The necessary investment would have a predicted return in approximately eight years.
Professor Alami considers this estimate to be conservative, since the most optimistic scenarios were not applied in the simulations. He is confident that the maritime industry will pay attention to the new system.
"We are convinced that the development of pneumatic vane motors will allow the use of even more advanced materials, resulting in more powerful and efficient motors.”, he said.
In addition to being more sustainable, the system can easily adapt to ferries already in operation, which expands its reach and reduces barriers to implementation.
If the results are replicated on a large scale, maritime shipping could undergo a significant transformation, aligning itself with more stringent environmental and economic goals.
The advance opens space for new technical solutions that prioritize energy efficiency and commitment to the environment.
