Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections Season 3 Episode 3 Super Tanker

In Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections season 3 episode 3, titled "Super Tanker," Richard Hammond takes viewers on a journey exploring one of the biggest man-made objects on the planet, the Emma Maersk. The Emma Maersk is a 397-meter-long container vessel that is capable of carrying over 11,000 standard-sized shipping containers across the world's oceans.

Hammond starts off by looking at the ship's incredible scale, highlighting the fact that the Emma Maersk is over 20 stories high and weighs in at a staggering 170,000 tons. He then starts to investigate what makes this massive vessel move through the water, focusing on the ship's five enormous diesel engines.

The scale of the ship's engines is impressive, with each massive unit standing over 10 meters high and weighing more than a Boeing 747. Hammond reveals that these engines can produce up to 14,000 horsepower, making them some of the most powerful diesel engines in the world. He then looks at how the engines are connected to the ship's propulsion system, which is capable of driving the ship through the ocean at speeds of up to 27 knots.

Next, Hammond turns his attention to the ship's cooling system, which is essential for keeping the engines running at their optimal temperature. He uncovers how the system uses seawater to cool the engines and how the process requires huge amounts of water, equivalent to the water usage of a small town.

After exploring the mechanics of the ship's engines, Hammond moves on to the ship's hull, looking at the unique design features that enable Emma Maersk to glide through the water with a minimum of resistance. He explains how the ship's hull is designed to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency, saving the company millions in running costs.

Hammond then explores how the close relationship between the ship designers and the ship's owners, Maersk, is key to the success of the Emma Maersk. He looks at how the company works closely with the designers to develop ships that are efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.

The episode also covers the construction and maintenance of the ship, revealing how the Emma Maersk was constructed in record time and how it is kept running in tip-top condition by a team of dedicated engineers.

Overall, "Super Tanker" is an informative and engrossing episode that brings viewers inside one of the world's biggest and most complex man-made objects. Hammond's enthusiasm and expertise make this a must-see episode for anyone interested in engineering, shipping, or just big machines in general.