CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin

CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin is an Explorer-class container ship built for CMA CGM. Delivered in November 2015,[3] she is named after Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. She is one of the largest container cargo vessels, capable of carrying 18,000 TEU.

Routes

The December 26, 2015 arrival at the Port of Los Angeles[3] marked the first time a ship of this size had been used in North America - previous routes for a ship this large were only from Asia to Northern Europe. CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin is about a third larger than the biggest container ships that typically visit the deep water ports of southern California.[4] After departing Long Beach, she traveled north along the West Coast of the United States, arriving at the Port of Oakland near San Francisco on December 31,[5]

Engine

The CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin is propelled by a MAN B&W 11S90ME-C9.2, a low speed, two-stroke diesel engine. The MAN B&W 11S90ME-C9.2 was designed in house by MAN B&W with the goals of the lowest possible operational costs and fuel consumption at any load and any prevailing condition. MAN B&W ME engines have design and performance characteristics in order to comply with International Maritime Organization Tier II emission regulations.

Concept of engine control system

This engine features electronic hydraulic activation to enhance flexibility in fuel injection and exhaust valve operation. These two factors are adjusted to align with the operating conditions that a ship may encounter. The electronic control of the entire combustion process, from start to finish, is referred to as the Engine Control System. Fuel injection regulates the engine's operating speed, while the exhaust valves manage the expulsion of combustion gases from the cylinder. The actuators for both fuel injection and exhaust valves are electronically controlled by the Engine Control System.

For fuel injection, a plunger powered by a hydraulic piston is initiated by oil pressure. This oil pressure is regulated by a valve that is electronically controlled through the Engine Control System. The exhaust valves are opened by a two-stage actuator, which is activated by oil delivered from an electronically controlled valve. By electronically managing these valves, the Engine Control System fully regulates the combustion process.[8]

Intake and exhaust air

Cylinder

The frame of the cylinder is cast and equipped with access covers for the routine cleaning of the scavenge ports on the cylinder liner, which is a unique characteristic of two-stroke engines. The cylinder liner is made from alloyed cast iron and features scavenge ports along with drilled holes for lubrication.[8]

Scavenge air system

Air intake takes directly from the engine room to the turbocharger fitted to the engines. From the turbocharger, air is sent to be cooled through a sea water cooler then stored in a scavenge air receiver. This air is then sent to the scavenge ports on the cylinder liners.[8]

Exhaust gas system

Exhaust from the exhaust valves are sent to a receiver to equalize the different pressures produced from each cylinder. The exhaust gases are then sent through turbochargers.[8]

Cylinder

Scavenge air system

Exhaust gas system

Exhaust from the exhaust valves are sent to a receiver to equalize the different pressures produced from each cylinder. The exhaust gases are then sent through turbochargers.[8]

header caption	‡R1R‡
type	Container ship
tonnage	* * *
length	399.2 m
beam	54 m
height	60 m, 70 m over antennae.‡R2R‡
draft	16 m
depth	30.2 m
power	MAN B&W diesel engine, (63,910kW)
propulsion	Single shaft; screw propeller Solid
speed	22.9 kn
capacity	, Refrigerated connections 1,500 ‡R2R‡
crew	27

CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin

Routes

Engine

Concept of engine control system

Intake and exhaust air

Cylinder

Scavenge air system

Exhaust gas system

Cylinder

Scavenge air system

Exhaust gas system

Environmental initiatives

Limited greenhouse gas emissions

Biodiversity preservation

Issues of vessel size

Vessel size transformation

U.S. ports

External links

References