Influência da profundidade e das margens dos rios da região amazônica na otimização da seleção do sistema propulsor de embarcações: estudo de caso do Rio Solimões

Abstract

In the Amazon region, the use of river transportation is vital for the economy. Every year, thousands of passengers and cargo are transported along the Amazon rivers. In this context, conducting research on methodologies to improve the efficiency and perfor mance of the regionŠs vessels becomes essential. This work aims to develop a methodology for optimizing the selection of the propulsion system for displacement vessels, taking into account the characteristics of the river. To achieve this, the Holtrop and Mennen method was employed to calculate the resistance to advance and corrections caused by the inĆu ence of the riverŠs depth and bank. Furthermore, a procedure to optimize the selection of propellers was carried out, with the B-Troost, Kaplan, and Gawn systematic series being studied in this work. The methodology was applied to a regional ferryboat navigating the Manaus-Tabatinga route on the Solimões River. As a result, it was found that depth can increase resistance by up to 17%, and the bank plays a role in a 5% increase as soon as it begins to inĆuence resistance. Finally, a comparison was made between the curren tly installed power and the power calculated by the developed methodology, revealing a potential reduction in fuel consumption costs of 37,63%.