Optimization method of fuel saving and cost reduction of tugboat main engine based on genetic algorithm

Tugboat is an important auxiliary tool for safe operations at ports. The fuel consumption of tugboats directly affects the energy consumption of water transportation in the port area and the operating costs of barge companies. To analyze the energy-saving and emission-reduction methods of tugboats in the port area, this paper proposes an optimized plan for the high fuel consumption problem of a full-slewing tugboat operating at a port. This research first starts from the perspective of route design and takes the shortest route as the goal, proposes the use of genetic algorithm (GA) to optimize the route of the tugboat. Second, combined with the mechanism of the energy transfer process of the ship, engine, and slurry, the fuel consumption model of the tugboat’s main engine is established. To minimize fuel consumption, the speed of the tugboat’s entire voyage is optimized with the help of GA. The results of the example analysis show that GA can realize an efficient optimization of the tugboat route, save on the fuel consumption of the main engine, and improve the operation efficiency of the tugboat. It is suitable for the route planning of the tugboat in the multi-task operation of the port. GA is used in the tugboat speed optimization problem. The sailing plan is more fuel-efficient than the economical speed sailing plan for an entire journey. The proposed method provides ideas for fuel saving and consumption reduction of the tugboat main engine, achieves the maximum reduction of fuel consumption under working conditions without affecting normal production, which is conducive to port ship barge companies to save operating costs, and also provides a reference for the selection of the actual tugboat main engine.