QUEEN MARY 2

Enhances Reliability with New Compressed Air System

PROJECT REPORT

Reliable compressed air for smooth operations at sea

The Queen Mary 2, one of the world's most iconic ocean liners, has taken its engineering excellence to the next level with a new compressed air system supplied and installed by one of BOGE's Platinum Partners, Southern Air Systems. The updated setup, which includes four water-cooled compressors and three refrigerant dryers, has replaced aging equipment to deliver a more reliable and efficient air supply to support the ship's essential operations.

At the heart of the new system are four 37kw BOGE S50-3 690V water-cooled compressors and three DT80-2 refrigerant dryers, ensuring top-tier performance in demanding onboard conditions. The new system is not only more compact but also more efficient, providing plenty of spare capacity for future requirements

The Need for a New System

The Queen Mary 2 relies on compressed air for various critical operations, from automation in engine rooms to powering control systems throughout the ship. However, the ship's existing compressors, four 37kw none-BOGE Screw compressors, built in 2001, had reached the end of their lifecycle despite several component replacements over the years.

Two key challenges highlighted the urgency for a new system:

1. The old compressors struggled to maintain steady performance in the high ambient temperatures within the ship's lower decks.

2. Their age and inefficiency were causing maintenance headaches and increasing the risk of system failure.

Partially dismantled BOGE compressor being lowered through a hatchway onboard Queen Mary 2

Unique Installation Challenges

Installing the new compressors onboard presented a set of unique challenges due to the ship's layout. The outdated compressors had to be disassembled into smaller components to be removed from the lower decks. Similarly, the new BOGE S50-3 units were partially dismantled to be lowered through hatchways two decks below.

The equipment was then carefully maneuvered through the engine room and reassembled in its final location. Additionally, all compressors needed to integrate with the engine control room for run and fault signal communication. Thanks to the BOGE Focus controller, this was seamlessly achieved.

Blue BOGE C 22-2 LF screw compressor installed in the engine room onboard Queen Mary 2

Kev Foley, Director of Southern Air Systems

"This was a great project to work on. The complexities of installing the compressors on a ship required detailed planning, but our team delivered the installation in two stages with precision. Everyone is happy with the outcome, and it's been a fantastic success."

Why Water-Cooled Compressors?

Water-cooled compressors were the clear choice for the Queen Mary 2 due to the high ambient temperatures in the lower areas of the ship. Unlike air-cooled compressors, which might struggle to maintain a stable operating temperature in such conditions, water-cooled units dissipate heat more effectively. This ensures consistent performance and minimises the risk of overheating.

Three blue BOGE DT 80-2 refrigerant dryers connected by copper pipework onboard Queen Mary 2

Results and Benefits

The installation, completed by Southern Air Systems, has provided significant benefits, including:

A more reliable air system, ensuring no interruptions to essential operations.
Compact design, allowing the compressors to fit seamlessly into the engine room.
Energy efficiency, reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
Easy maintenance, thanks to the advanced design of BOGE's equipment.

The new system's additional capacity means the Queen Mary 2 is well-prepared for future operational expansions.

A Smooth Sailing Future

Since the installation, the compressed air system has exceeded expectations. The Queen Mary 2 now enjoys a dependable supply of high-quality compressed air, ensuring smooth operations across the ship. With a system designed for both reliability and efficiency, the luxury liner is set to continue its transatlantic crossings with confidence.

In a nutshell

Project information

The challenge

The Queen Mary 2’s ageing compressors struggled to maintain consistent performance in the high ambient temperatures of the ship’s lower decks. Increasing inefficiency and maintenance requirements also created a risk of system failure and costly interruptions to essential onboard operations.

The BOGE solution

Southern Air Systems supplied and installed four BOGE S 50-3 water-cooled screw compressors and three DT 80-2 refrigerant dryers. The compact system was carefully dismantled and reassembled onboard before being integrated with the ship’s engine control room through the BOGE Focus controller.

The result

The Queen Mary 2 now benefits from a reliable, energy-efficient and easy-to-maintain compressed air system. Its compact design is ideally suited to the restricted engine-room space, while additional capacity provides flexibility for future operational requirements.

AT A GLANCE

Products in use

BOGE oelgeschmierter Schraubenkompressor S-3 Baureihe von 22 bis 75 kW

4 × S50-3 Water-Cooled Compressors

3 × DT Refrigerant Dryers

Multiple blue BOGE compressors installed in the engine room onboard Queen Mary 2

CUSTOMER REFERENCES & MATERIALS

Resources & Success Stories

At a Glance: Discover detailed insights into our successful client projects. Simply download the full reference as a PDF to learn more about our proven solutions and results.

Full reference (PDF)

CUSTOMER

Queen Mary 2

The Queen Mary 2 is one of the world's most famous ocean liners, known for its luxury and engineering excellence. The ship depends on reliable compressed air to power critical systems essential for safe and smooth operations at sea.

Visit Cunard