Desenvolvimento de motor BLDC para eletrificação de pequenas embarcações na região amazônica

Abstract

Energy transition is a widely discussed topic in the global climate agenda, and the electrification of vessels in the Amazon region represents both a challenge and an innovative strategy aimed at promoting sustainability and mitigating the environmental impacts caused by the combustion of fossil fuels in inland waterway transport. Considering that boats are the main means of transportation for riverside populations, it is essential to rethink the current propulsion system based on internal combustion engines, which have proven to be environmentally harmful. Most of these vessels use engines powered by fossil fuels, which emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other atmospheric and aquatic pollutants. These emissions cause significant harm to human health and regional biodiversity. In this context, electric motors emerge as a viable and effective alternative, offering higher energy efficiency and zero direct emissions during operation, thus contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable navigation system. Given this reality, the development of technologies aimed at optimizing electric motor performance, particularly in terms of geometric design, becomes increasingly necessary. Studies involving computational modeling and electromagnetic simulations have shown great potential for enhancing motor efficiency and torque, surpassing the limitations of traditional design approaches. Therefore, this work proposes a numerical analysis of the design of a Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motor, specifically developed to meet the operational demands of small-scale riverine vessels in the Amazon. The motor geometry will be designed and evaluated through computational simulations using the Finite Element Method (FEM), considering constructive, electromagnetic, and operational parameters. The expected results focus on defining an optimized geometry capable of ensuring stable operating regimes, good rotational variability, satisfactory torque levels, and efficiency above 95%.