Scientists have developed a new way to power ferry boats using air instead of diesel.
This cleaner method uses pneumatic propellers, which rely on compressed air to move the boat.
Researchers tested the idea on a ferry in Finland and found that it worked just as well as the traditional diesel engines it replaced.
The new system uses high-pressure air tanks to store energy. This air is then released into a special motor, called a vane air motor, which turns the boat’s propeller.
Each air motor used in the test produced 250 kilowatts of power—enough to keep the ferry running smoothly on its regular route.
The project was led by Professor Abdul Hai Alami from Sharjah University, who worked with Finnish marine expert Kaj Jansson.
They installed the new system on a ferry built in 1985, proving that old diesel-powered boats can be retrofitted with this cleaner technology.
Currently, diesel engines are the most commonly used in ferries because they are powerful and dependable.
But they also burn large amounts of fuel, create noise, and release harmful pollution into the environment.
By comparison, pneumatic engines are quieter, cleaner, and can even be designed to store air in parts of the ferry’s structure or in extra tanks, which helps the boat float better.
Alami says that using air to power boats is not just good for the environment—it also makes sense financially.
The research found that operating a ferry with pneumatic propulsion could save around $73,000 over time, with the investment paying for itself in about eight years. He adds that this payback period is based on cautious estimates, and the savings could actually be even higher.
What makes this approach especially exciting is that it works on existing boats and doesn’t require building new ones from scratch. The team believes this method is ideal for short-distance ferries that travel the same routes every day. Because their trips are predictable, it’s easier to plan air storage and refueling needs.
This study, published in the journal Energy Conversion and Management, is one of the first to show how pneumatic propulsion can work in real-life ferry operations.
The system also needs less maintenance than diesel engines because of its simpler design.
As the world looks for greener ways to travel, air-powered boats could be an innovative and affordable step toward cleaner seas. With further development, this new technology might soon be seen in ferry ports around the world.
Source: KSR.
