Feature 2 | MEDIUM-SPEED ENGINES
service vessels Viking Energy, Stril Pioneer,
Viking Queen and Viking Lady.
The new 20DF design can also be run on
natural gas, marine diesel oil or heavy fuel
oil, and can be switched from gas to liquid
fuel and vice versa during engine operation,
smoothly and without interruption.
The engine can be installed and
optimised for constant-speed generating
sets, as well as variable-speed mechanical
drives for main engine applications. It is
available in 6-, 8- and 9-cylinder in-line
configurations. As a genset, it covers
alternator power outputs from 1014kW
to 1521kW at 60Hz, and from 841kW to
1261kW at 50Hz typical mechanical drive,
main engine applications would include
small cargo vessels, ferries and tugs.
In gas mode, the Wärtsilä 20DF is already
compliant with IMO Tier III regulations,
without the need for any secondary exhaust
purification systems. In liquid fuel mode,
This image shows two engine control boxes providing engine monitoring (right) and LESS the engine is fully compliant with IMO Tier
system (left) (Credit: Caterpillar Marine Power Systems). II emission regulations.
The latest rationalisation measures
affecting production capacity in Finland,
Wärtsilä Finland is one of the shareholders without interrupting engine running. as elsewhere Europe, have been attributed
in CLEEN, and is also one of the high-profile The design serves a wide, unit power band to the current downturn in newbuild
participants in the FCEP project, along with from 2.7MW to 9MW, whereby the 6L, 9L, vessel contracting, but may also be seen as
ABB. The FCEP consortium has a total of 17 12V and 16V models are aimed at shipboard part-and-parcel of the process of industrial
partners, including a host of universities and use, particularly for vessels intended to restructure attendant to Asian ascendancy.
research institutes. operate primarily or partially on LNG, while At the same time, investments such as
The key areas of research will include the 9L, 12V and 16V versions are also suited Wärtsilä’s recently opened Manufacturing
improvements in the combustion process, to stationary power duties. Technology Centre (MTC) are indicative of
energy efficiency, emission reduction Norway’s progressive offshore support initiatives being put in place to improve the
methods, heat recovery systems, power vessel sector, the champion of many competitiveness of European brands.
conversion technologies, fuel flexibility and innovations and design advances in Located adjacent to the Vaasa medium-
the use of biofuels in combustion engines. engineering over the years, has provided speed engine factory in Finland, MTC
Having gained valuable multifuel the opening contract for the Wärtsilä 34DF. is tasked with enhancing Wärtsilä’s core
experience with its 50DF engine, Wärtsilä Three six-cylinder examples, able to run on manufacturing competencies, to the
has applied the same technology in a smaller marine diesel oil, heavy fuel oil or natural prospective benefit of its global network.
package, in the shape of the 34DF design. It gas, have been specified for a platform supply The MTC concept is expected to produce
has subsequently taken the further step of vessel ordered by the DOF Group from STX value-adding benefits by supporting
developing a multifuel version of the smallest Norway Offshore’s Soviknes yard. component design, and manufacturing and
engine in its four-stroke medium-speed The flexibility to operate on both LNG supplier development, including ‘first time
range, the 200mm-bore Wärtsilä 20 series, to and diesel fuel will enable the shipowner to right’ quality goals, delivery for training, test
cover applications in a lower power range. meet the environmental standards dictated part manufacturing and design analysis, and
Derived in a mechanical context from by charterer Statoil (formerly StatoilHydro), method and tool testing.
the ubiquitous Wärtsilä 32 class of medium- and the chosen Aker design’s CD In Germany, the revision and uprating
speed diesel, while encapsulating the key classification reflects the ‘green’ philosophy of the MAN 28/33 vee-type medium-speed
fuelling and ignition system technology used applied to the project as a whole. diesel as the 28/33D Tier II engine has
in the 50DF type, the 34DF has expanded the Wärtsilä’s 34DF engine design reflects confirmed the design as having the highest
company’s market reach in terms of multifuel operational experience gained from the power density in its class.
engine powering solutions. It complements 32DF dual-fuel engine, but offers a 30% While the maximum continuous ratings
the Wärtsilä 34SG spark-ignited gas engine, higher output than its predecessor. The for the 12-, 16- and 20-cylinder models are
and offers the ability to switch between gas, 32DF type is reported to have performed 5460kW, 7280kW and 9100kW, respectively,
light fuel oil and heavy fuel oil, and to do so well in the LNG-fuelled, Norwegian offshore the design provides for a 10% overload for
32 Ship & Boat International March/April 2010
SBI_MarApr10_p30-31-32-33.indd 32 26/02/2010 12:13:40
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