Innovative solutions for variable vessel buoyancy
Variable vessel buoyancy
Traditional water ballast system is based on closed tank philosophy, using ballast pumps and ballast lines for filling and discharging, as well as displacement of water ballast between tanks.
Our innovative solution replaces traditional water ballast systems.
Tanks open to sea and the utilization of energy available in air pressure and vacuum, ensure a much more effective water ballast handling. Variable vessel buoyancy provides various opportunities for the customer according to specific operation demands.
Innovative solutions give our customers the advantage of being one step ahead of their competitors.
The system is certified and approved, and our professional suppliers of equipment and components are some of the most competent and experienced on the market.
Content variable vessel buoyancy
Anti-heeling System
In a traditional anti–heeling system, fluids are transferred between dedicated tanks to keep the vessel or floating unit on an even keel.
Our innovative system replaces traditional anti–heeling systems, ensuring equilibrium during operations with no need for fluid transfer between tanks.
The solution ensures high efficiency and highly reliable safety standard during operations.
The anti–heeling system is based on full redundancy policy.
Our anti–heeling system is a function of the variable vessel buoyancy product, using the same dedicated tanks to achieve equilibrium.
Content anti heeling
Passive Stabilization
MRPC has developed a passive stabilization system able to reduce movements on vessels and floating units.
The center level and volume in the tanks are at the variation sea water level. This is to enable the system to “catch” the waves and work with nature´s forces.
By active control of the top valve on each designated tank, filling level can be adjusted in passive mode to achieve a damping effect.
Achieved damping effect depends on the GM value. Test results confirm that damping effect is larger on vessels and units with high GM values. Offshore vessels and floating units with traditional high GM values are well suited for this product.
In passive mode, the damping effect is achieved without any power consumption.
Content passive stabilization
Active Stabilization
Our innovative active stabilization solution is based on ballast water tanks open to sea in vertical direction, stretching above and below water baseline.
Air compressors directly connected to designated tanks regulate the volume of seawater inside the tanks, by creating overpressure or vacuum.
The Active stabilization controller provides optimal filling in these tanks based on input from the ship´s movements. Top valves make sure overpressure or vacuum is controlled when filling or discharge has reached a specified level according to the active stabilization controller.
Our active stabilization system is developed according to full redundancy policy. The solution is effective in all weather conditions, and is highly energy effective.
The system is certified and approved by flag state and class.
Content active stabilization
Technology
The solution is based on open tanks to sea, stretching above water baseline, utilizing over and under pressure to work counter phased towards waves.
The innovative solution provides significantly increased speed during water level adjustment inside tanks.
Due to its design, the system is energy efficient.
The solution is based on open tanks to sea, stretching above water baseline, utilizing over and under pressure to work counter phased towards waves.
The innovative solution provides significantly increased speed during water level adjustment inside tanks.
Due to its design, the system is energy efficient.
USA: 8,479,674 – Accepted
Norway: 20076308 – Accepted
Russia: 2010122729 – Accepted
Brazil: 0821169-8 – Accepted
China: 200880123976.0 – Accepted
India: 2035/KOLNP2010 – Accepted
Korea: 10-2010-7014925 – Accepted
EPO: 08858077.4. – Accepted
Simulation models at Ålesund University College have verified the solution. Calculations concluded a theoretical damping potential of 96%.
Further, a ship model trial, with weight displacement at 15.150 t, was performed at Stadt Towing Tank.
The trial included testing of roll and pitch, both active and controlled passive.
The damping effect results are stated below.
- Active Roll: 79.8%
- Active Pitch: 44.4%
- Controlled passive damping has shown effect up to 36.9%

Content technology
The solution is based on open ballast tanks to sea in vertical direction, stretching over the sea water level, utilizing negative and positive pressure to work counter- phased towards waves.
High volume air compressors, working with low pressure and vacuum, manage volume in designated tanks. The active stabilization controller provides optimal filling in these tanks based on input from the ship´s movements.
The center level and volume in the tanks are at the variation sea water level. This is to enable the system to “catch” the waves and work with nature´s forces.“
Catching” the waves makes the filling process of the tanks possible without any power consumption. If more filling or load in the tanks is needed, this is added through the suction side of the compressors.
The compressors, working at high volume of air, but with low pressure and vacuum, require low power consumption.
USA: 8,479,674 – Accepted
Norway: 20076308 – Accepted
Russia: 2010122729 – Accepted
Brazil: 0821169-8 – Accepted
China: 200880123976.0 – Accepted
India: 2035/KOLNP2010 – Accepted
Korea: 10-2010-7014925 – Accepted
EPO: 08858077.4. – Accepted
All vessels and floating units focusing on keeping movement to a minimum will benefit from our stabilization system and solutions. They will increase operation time and reduce down time caused by weather/environmental conditions.
The solution can be implemented in all new constructions, and in most cases in existing ships.
During a model test at Stadt Towing Tank, using a Ramform model vessel as a test bed for the system, all simulation models were verified.
The model was fitted with transparent ballast tanks, valves and sensors necessary to implement the control system. Marine Innovation did the implementation of the control system
.
The model test conclusion stated that the stabilization principle reduces roll and pitch values significantly.
The reduction depends on available volume in ballast tanks. Highest reduction is obtained with the active system by using positive and negative pressure to control ballast tank filling.
The passive system has also been proved to reduce the movements of the vessel significantly.
Content technology
ABOUT MRPC
In 2008 as an incubator company within Molde Kunnskapspark's.
The company is located in Molde on the northwest coast of Norway. This is one of the largest marine and offshore engineering clusters in Norway.
Ove Sporsheim, founder and CEO of the company
Kjell Ødegård, founder and co-owner of AXTech AS
Richard Myhre, founder and co-owner of AXTech AS
Molde Kunnskapspark - a regional business development company
Eirik Bergsvik
Eskil Hansen
Richard Myhre, CEO AXTech AS
Eirik Bergsvik, CEO Interwell AS
Ove Sporsheim, CEO Marine Roll & Pitch Control AS
Finn Amundsen, CEO Molde Kunnskapspark AS
CONTACT

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