New MTU Series 595 Engine, First Of Type To Enter Service, Installed On Ferry 'Deutschland'

The first MTU Series 595 engine has now entered actual service with installation of a 12-cylinder model on the ferry Deutschland.

The 476-foot-long oceangoing ferry Deutschland, powered by nine MTU 12-cylinder 956 engines rated at 1,840 kw at 2,500 hp each, has been doing shuttle service on the "Vogelflug" route between Puttgarden and Rodby since 1972.

One of the 956 models has now been replaced by a new 595 to obtain service data complementing exhaustive factory trials.

As a standard feature, the new engine (2,100 kw at 2,860 hp, 1,500 rpm) with its MTU designation 12V 595 TE50, has electronic engine management to control both twostage sequential turbocharging and high-pressure injection (up to 1,500 bar) to achieve fuel economy and low exhaust emissions.

Engine installation, performed during normal ferry service, took less than an hour. After the initial start of engine operation, final approval by Germanischer Lloyd was granted a few weeks later.

The Deutschland uses diesel-electric propulsion, i.e., diesel power is converted into electric energy to supply two Siemens propulsion motors rigidly connected to the two propeller shafts. The propellers are designed for 7,000 kw each when both shafts are operated, and for 7,700 kw with single-shaft operation.

Maximum ship speed of 20.2 knots (approximately 37 km/h) is achieved at 204 propeller rpm. Since the ship's commissioning in 1972, each of the nine MTU engines has logged more than 50,000 hours.

Generally, the use of several engines as compared to a one- or two-engine plant guarantees higher operational reliability and parameters which are particularly important for such a ship. If maintenance work is performed on one or several diesel engines, continuation of ship operation is possible without any restrictions. Moreover, a multipleengine plant achieves operating economy by a more flexible response to varying wind, sea and loading conditions.

The Detuschland is one of three Federal German Railway ferries offering a daily shuttle service on the "Vogelflug" route between Puttgarden on the island of Fehmarn and the Danish port of Rodby, the shortest and fastest ferry connection for rail and road traffic between Central Europe and Scandinavia.

Three decks are available for railroad, cars and passengers. There is room for 12 rail coaches or 146 cars on the railroad deck and another 94 cars on the suspended deck.

The car deck capacity is 118 vehicles, and the passenger deck with its restaurant, bank, cafeterias and shops can easily accommodate 1,500 people.

For free literature giving full information on the new MTU Series 595 engine, Circle 46 on Reader Service Card

Other stories from May 1991 issue

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