Page 23: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (July 1992)

INSIDE

DIESEL POWER

Cross-sectional drawing of the L58/64 diesel from MAN B&W's medium-speed engine family.

In response to the constant demand for improved perfor-mance and increased efficiency from vessel operators, a number of ma- rine diesel manufacturers have ei- ther upgraded their existing en- gines, expanded current series or developed entirely new models.

Additionally, new environmen- tal standards, such as those regu- lating nitrogen oxide emissions, have also played a key role in the intro- duction of and research into new diesels. Most major marine engine manufacturers are investing heavily into research programs to develop new reduced emission diesels. Some, in fact, are introducing models which use LNG or even LPG.

Wartsila Diesel, for example, re- cently tested its Vasa 32 engine on

LPG, which is extremely clean burn- ing. According to Wartsila, the Vasa 32 engine tests showed very promis- ing results, and a pilot plant is ex- pected to be started within the next few months. Wartsila Diesel is re- portedly the first diesel manufac- turer to test LPG in medium-speed engines utilizing high-pressure fuel injection. "Inside Diesel Power" is a brief examination of some of the latest solutions for the 1990s from the world's leading marine diesel en- gine manufacturers for propulsion and shipboard power applications.

For further information on any of the marine diesel engines discussed in this review, circle the appropri- ate Reader Service number on the post-paid card bound into the back of this issue.

ALASKA DIESEL ELECTRIC

The Lugger L6140AL, L6170A and L12V140A diesels from Alaska

Diesel Electric, Inc., Seattle, Wash., are targeted for the commercial user whose main concerns are low life cycle costs and low fuel consump- tion.

The L6140AL, an in-line six, has a continuous rating of 470 hp at 1,800 rpm, a medium rating of 550 hp at 2,100 rpm, and a maximum rating of 630 hp at 2,100 rpm. The engine is also used in a 330-kw 1,800-rpm Northern Lights marine generator set with the same power- take-off features.

A 170-mm bore provides the in- line six-cylinder L6170A with 640- hp at 1,800 rpm continuous duty operation. It has a maximum rating of 825 hp at 2,100 rpm and a me- dium rating of 730 hp at 2,000 rpm.

The 170 is the most recent of the

Luggers to be put in service.

Soon to be delivered will be the 12-cylinder L12V140A, rated at 950 hp at 1,800 rpm. It has a rating of 1,300 hp at 2,100 rpm for high-speed applications. The power output is maximized by its after-cooler design.

Alaska Diesel Electric manufac- tures propulsion units from 87 hp to 1,300 hp and Northern Lights Ma- rine Generator sets from 5 kw to 330 kw.

For further information on Alaska

Diesel Electric,

Circle 30 on Reader Service Card

CATERPILLAR

Caterpillar, Inc., offers three dis- tinct engine families—the 3400, 3500 and 3600—to meet the needs of its marine customers.

The 3600 diesel engine series is offered in two distinct configura- tions—distillate and heavy fuel— each optimized to provide the low- est operating cost on the fuel used.

The Cat 3600 engine, fully opti- mized for distillate fuel operation, can be economically converted at a convenient overhaul point to an equally optimized heavy fuel con- figuration.

The heavy fuel 3600 model is available in speeds from 720 to 1,000 rpm, with power outputs ranging from 218 to 280 hp per cylinder.

Models are available in six- and eight-cylinder in-line versions and 12- and 16-cylinder "V" configura- tions, providing as much as 4,480 hp. Caterpillar recently delivered its 500th engine in its 3600 Family to a shipyard in Holland for installa- tion aboard the M.B. Thames. The model 3606 was rated at 2,146 hp at 900 rpm.

Caterpillar's 3500 diesel engine family includes three versions—V- 8, V-12 and V-16. Designed to lower fuel consumption, oil and mainte- nance costs, the four-stroke, direct- injection 3500 diesel engine family is available in speeds from 1,200 to 1,800 rpm, with power outputs as high as 2,200 hp.

Caterpillar 3400 marine diesels provide power from 275 to 1,000 bhp (205-746 kw), with three models available—Cat 3406, 3408 and 3412—the company's largest sell- ing marine diesels.

For free literature detailing the

Cat marine diesel engine line,

Circle 34 on Reader Service Card

COLTEC

The Fairbanks Morse Engine

Division, Coltec Industries, offers a complete line of modern marine medium-speed diesel engines, rang- ing in power from 640 to 29,322 bhp.

Fairbanks Morse currently manufactures the largest medium- speed diesel in the U.S., the Colt-

Pielstick PC4.2. The U.S. Navy's

Henry J. Kaiser Class (T-AO-187) fleet oilers are each powered by a pair of 10-cylinder PC4.2s, produc- ing over 16,000 bhp.

According to Fairbanks Morse, the PC4.2 marine engines are 60 percent more fuel efficient than some gas turbines and require less engine room space than some slow- speed diesel engines.

Besides the PC4.2, Fairbanks

Morse also manufactures the PC2

Series, a four-cycle turbocharged engine. Colt-PielstickPC2 medium- speed diesels propel the U.S. Navy's dock landing ship class (LSD). Avail- able in a 6- to 18-cylinder range in "V" and in-line configurations, the

PC2 powers over 1,400vessels world- wide, totaling 2,200 engines and 15.3 million hp.

Available as a blower scavenged

July, 1992 11