Japanese demonstrating electromagnetic catamaran

1990/07/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Garraioak

It is about to finish the construction of the first electromagnetic catamaran in the history of the world. If what is missing to carry out the project is properly met, the 30-m long waterfall "Yamato-1" will begin to travel at sea next year. However, engineers question the commercial application of the technology used.

This boat has several tunnels and in front of the tunnels are electromagnets. Sea water enters the tunnels and the charged electrodes generate electric current through water. After activating the magnetic fields of the magnets by electric current, electromagnetic forces are generated. These forces push the water out of the tunnels and thus the catamaran reaches a great speed. The problem to overcome technically is: "that the magnetic field is powerful enough for the catamaran to move at fast speed".

To achieve strong fields, the Japanese have formed electromagnets cooled in liquid helium. Two 2000 kW diesel engine generators each supply electricity to the electromagnets. Thus, a catamaran of 280 tons can reach a maximum speed of 8 knots.

Although superconductors have been used, the result has not been as good as expected. The cost of getting a higher speed increases. Therefore, commercially it is nothing interesting.