SIMULATE, TEST, EXPERIENCE

our fundamentals

To challenge the uncontrollable wind and waves we need facilities to recreate and simulate natural conditions to test ships and operations. Since we do not only recreate but also challenge these elements we need reliable tools and software enabling us to manage the dynamic sea. Using our facilities and tools we make ships and operations safer, cleaner and smarter.

CLEANER, SAFER AND SMARTER

Our track record in research and innovative concept development would not be possible without our facilities and tools. Since the start we have made thousands of ships and operations around the world safer, faster, more efficient and greener. Aiming to bridge the gap between design and operation we are involved in the entire lifecycle of the ship, from the initial concept development to design, construction and subsequently to the final operation. This allows us to continuously assess and improve our research.

We have a complete range of model test facilities, software tools, simulators, numerical facilities and measurement techniques to test, simulate and monitor ships and operations including the human factor. The unique combination and synergy of these facilities and tools enable us to achieve reliable predictions of the performance in the design phases, but also to improve and ensure the optimal operational use of the ship or structure.
facilities and tools

BASINS

We offer a complete range of dedicated model test facilities for applied research. Testing models under realistic conditions remains invaluable as an accurate and objective way to quantify and demonstrate the behaviour and performance of a ship or structure. Complementing each other, each facility is used to solve specific design and research issues.

SEAKEEPING AND MANOEUVRING BASIN

Verifying performance and safety requires accurate representation of a ship and its ride control elements in relevant wave conditions. This basin (170 x 40 x 5 m) is designed to make arbitrary (high-speed) manoeuvres in realistic waves from arbitrary directions. The free-sailing or captive tests provide insight into the seakeeping and manoeuvring characteristics.

SEAKEEPING AND MANOEUVRING BASIN

Verifying performance and safety requires accurate representation of a ship and its ride control elements in relevant wave conditions. This basin (170 x 40 x 5 m) is designed to make arbitrary (high-speed) manoeuvres in realistic waves from arbitrary directions. The free-sailing or captive tests provide insight into the seakeeping and manoeuvring characteristics.

CONCEPT BASIN

This basin (220 x 4 x 3.6 m) is mainly designed to perform calm water and seakeeping model tests of ships and structures in their concept phase. It is equipped with a wave generator that can reach a significant wave height of 0.55 m at a peak period of 2.3 seconds, and a wind simulator, which together provide a realistic environment.

CONCEPT BASIN

This basin (220 x 4 x 3.6 m) is mainly designed to perform calm water and seakeeping model tests of ships and structures in their concept phase. It is equipped with a wave generator that can reach a significant wave height of 0.55 m at a peak period of 2.3 seconds, and a wind simulator, which together provide a realistic environment.

OFFSHORE BASIN

Our deepest tank (45 x 36 x 10.2 m) provides a realistic environment for testing offshore and submarine operations. The movable floor allows testing from shallow to deep water. In addition, a 30 m deep well is available for ultra-deep water tests. Wave generators on both sides of the tank and a movable wind bed generate a combination of wind, waves and swell. We use this tank for instance for testing loading and unloading procedures in extreme weather conditions and the installation of production facilities on support ships.

OFFSHORE BASIN

Our deepest tank (45 x 36 x 10.2 m) provides a realistic environment for testing offshore and submarine operations. The movable floor allows testing from shallow to deep water. In addition, a 30 m deep well is available for ultra-deep water tests. Wave generators on both sides of the tank and a movable wind bed generate a combination of wind, waves and swell. We use this tank for instance for testing loading and unloading procedures in extreme weather conditions and the installation of production facilities on support ships.

DEPRESSURISED WAVE BASIN

In this basin (240 x 18 x 8 m) we test models of both ships and offshore structures in most realistic operational conditions. The basin can be used for resistance and propulsion tests. The capability to reduce the ambient air pressure to as low as 2,5% of the atmospheric pressure in combination with the installed wave makers for short and long crested waves up to 0.75 m make this basin ideal for investigations into cavitation, air chambers and wave impacts with air entrapment.

DEPRESSURISED WAVE BASIN

In this basin (240 x 18 x 8 m) we test models of both ships and offshore structures in most realistic operational conditions. The basin can be used for resistance and propulsion tests. The capability to reduce the ambient air pressure to as low as 2,5% of the atmospheric pressure in combination with the installed wave makers for short and long crested waves up to 0.75 m make this basin ideal for investigations into cavitation, air chambers and wave impacts with air entrapment.

SHALLOW WATER BASIN

We use this basin (220 x 15.75 m) to optimise the performance and behaviour of a ship or operation in shallow water. With a depth adjustable from 0 to 1.15 m the basin can be used as input for simulations to help optimise nautical strategies. This includes factors like proximity of quays and bank suction. This facility is also used for Concept Development and Design Support for operations and new ship and offshore designs in shallow water.

SHALLOW WATER BASIN

We use this basin (220 x 15.75 m) to optimise the performance and behaviour of a ship or operation in shallow water. With a depth adjustable from 0 to 1.15 m the basin can be used as input for simulations to help optimise nautical strategies. This includes factors like proximity of quays and bank suction. This facility is also used for Concept Development and Design Support for operations and new ship and offshore designs in shallow water.

Deep water basin

We use this tank (252 x 10.5 x 5.5 m) to optimise the resistance and propulsion properties of ship designs. Since the tank can measure different wave and current patterns, we gain more insight into the possible improvements in the functioning of the ship.

Deep water basin

We use this tank (252 x 10.5 x 5.5 m) to optimise the resistance and propulsion properties of ship designs. Since the tank can measure different wave and current patterns, we gain more insight into the possible improvements in the functioning of the ship.

CAVITATION TUNNEL

In the Cavitation Tunnel we test a range of propulsor designs. Large propellers can be tested at high Reynolds numbers to predict accurate cavitation behaviour. A tunnel loop is available for testing the performance and cavitation properties of water jet impellers. Observation with high-speed cameras enables detailed cavitation flow investigations.

CAVITATION TUNNEL

In the Cavitation Tunnel we test a range of propulsor designs. Large propellers can be tested at high Reynolds numbers to predict accurate cavitation behaviour. A tunnel loop is available for testing the performance and cavitation properties of water jet impellers. Observation with high-speed cameras enables detailed cavitation flow investigations.

atmosphere

Control pressure, temperature, humidity, gas composition and flows of liquid and gas to create the ideal conditions for your research, product development and process optimization.

atmosphere

Control pressure, temperature, humidity, gas composition and flows of liquid and gas to create the ideal conditions for your research, product development and process optimization.

ZERO EMISSION LAB

This engine room of the future integrates power and the hydro propulsion system and enables the representative coupling of the propulsion hydrodynamics with the power supply. ZEL is a unique test facility worldwide for the research and testing of future marine propulsion and power systems, applying realistic, dynamic operating profiles.

ZERO EMISSION LAB

This engine room of the future integrates power and the hydro propulsion system and enables the representative coupling of the propulsion hydrodynamics with the power supply. ZEL is a unique test facility worldwide for the research and testing of future marine propulsion and power systems, applying realistic, dynamic operating profiles.

NUMERICAL FACILITIES

For over 15 years we have been using computational clusters to assist with time consuming numerical studies. Over the years these clusters have continued to grow in size and capabilities. Since MARCLUS4 was introduced in 2014 these computational clusters combined with our in-house software have been seen as a numerical facility for a broad range of simulations, such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using our ReFRESCO code, but also time-domain simulations using our XMF framework.

MARCLUS4

This BULL cluster was purchased in 2014. In total the system has 4360 Intel Xeon cores and 18TB RAM available for batch computations with a central storage of 550 TB.

MARCLUS4

This BULL cluster was purchased in 2014. In total the system has 4360 Intel Xeon cores and 18TB RAM available for batch computations with a central storage of 550 TB.

MARCLUS5

Our latest Atos-Bull cluster, called Marclus5, was purchased in 2018. It is factor 4 faster than MARCLUS 4. It has 9000 CPU cores and 50 TB RAM available for batch computations with a central storage of 2 PB.

MARCLUS5

Our latest Atos-Bull cluster, called Marclus5, was purchased in 2018. It is factor 4 faster than MARCLUS 4. It has 9000 CPU cores and 50 TB RAM available for batch computations with a central storage of 2 PB.

A SELECTION OF MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES

Our clients require detailed measurements of both the operation’s performance and its circumstances. That is why we are continuously developing and implementing new experimental techniques.

HIGH SPEED VIDEO

Many processes occur much faster than can be observed by the eye, such as the growth and collapse of cavitation on a propeller or the impact of a wave on a structure. When we use high-speed video we can watch such a process slowed down for careful study. At MARIN, high-speed video is applied using frame rates that are up to 200 higher than normal video. The high frame rate ensures that the details of the process are captured.

HIGH SPEED VIDEO

Many processes occur much faster than can be observed by the eye, such as the growth and collapse of cavitation on a propeller or the impact of a wave on a structure. When we use high-speed video we can watch such a process slowed down for careful study. At MARIN, high-speed video is applied using frame rates that are up to 200 higher than normal video. The high frame rate ensures that the details of the process are captured.

PARTICLE IMAGE VELOCIMETRY (PIV)

Particle Image Velocimetry is a method to determine the velocities in a fluid. The flow measurement with PIV is based on the measurements of the displacement (∆x) of a particle in a target plane between two successive light pulses with time delay (∆t). The flow is seeded with particles and the target plane is illuminated with a light sheet. The particle positions are recorded by two special digital cameras. Special image processing software analyses the movements of the group of particles in subsections of the PIV-image using correlation techniques. By using two cameras in a stereoscopic arrangement the instantaneous three velocity components are derived in the measuring plane.

PARTICLE IMAGE VELOCIMETRY (PIV)

Particle Image Velocimetry is a method to determine the velocities in a fluid. The flow measurement with PIV is based on the measurements of the displacement (∆x) of a particle in a target plane between two successive light pulses with time delay (∆t). The flow is seeded with particles and the target plane is illuminated with a light sheet. The particle positions are recorded by two special digital cameras. Special image processing software analyses the movements of the group of particles in subsections of the PIV-image using correlation techniques. By using two cameras in a stereoscopic arrangement the instantaneous three velocity components are derived in the measuring plane.

MULTI COMPONENT TRANSDUCERS FOR PROPELLER LOADS

The 6 component transducers can be used for measuring the omnidirectional propeller loads, while 5 component transducer can be used for measuring 2 blade forces and 3 blade moments. Combined with time synchronised high speed video recordings this can provide an insight in dynamic propeller loading phenomena.

MULTI COMPONENT TRANSDUCERS FOR PROPELLER LOADS

The 6 component transducers can be used for measuring the omnidirectional propeller loads, while 5 component transducer can be used for measuring 2 blade forces and 3 blade moments. Combined with time synchronised high speed video recordings this can provide an insight in dynamic propeller loading phenomena.

outdoor equipment

MARIN performs measurements anywhere, any time around the globe. Find here a selection of the tools and instruments that we use.

outdoor equipment

MARIN performs measurements anywhere, any time around the globe. Find here a selection of the tools and instruments that we use.