by Doug Woodyard
four-stroke engines MTU retrofit benefits Alaskan passenger cat
Klondike Express: refreshed with new MTU 16V 4000 high speed engines
Reportedly the largest and fastest tourist catamaran in Alaska, the 1999- built 41m-long Klondike Express has returned to service with a new propulsion plant based on twin MTU V16-cylinder Series 4000 M63L high speed engines. With a combined output of 4,480kW at 1,800 rpm, the engines drive waterjets to achieve a speed of 36.2 knots with up to 342 passengers on board.
Commissioned by the owner, Phillip’s Cruises and Tours, to combat rising
A fresh contender in the dual-fuel medium speed engine arena recently announced by Caterpillar Marine Power Systems, the MaK M46 DF design, is under test at the US group’s facility in Rostock, Germany, for planned initial deliveries in 2014. Available in in-line and vee-cylinder configurations, the 460mm-bore/610mm- stroke engine is rated for 900kW per cylinder at 500/514 rpm in diesel and gas fuel modes. Mechanical and electric drive propulsion applications can be targeted. The M46 DF will be able to alternate
between gas and diesel modes (marine diesel
operating and maintenance costs, the machinery rejuvenation followed an extensive study of options by vessel designer Incat Crowther which included overhauling the existing engines, replacing them or replacing the entire propulsion system. A decision to replace the original engines with MTU’s latest generation 16V 4000 models sought comparable power output and fuel consumption but lower life-cycle costs and significantly reduced exhaust emissions. The transmission
New MaK engine targets DF propulsion market The MaK M46 DF engine on test in Rostock
www.mpropulsion.com
or heavy fuel oil) during operation, allowing vessels to be deployed in all geographical areas. In gas mode, Caterpillar claims ‘industry- leading’ fuel consumption and compliance with IMO Tier III NOx emissions as well as EPA Tier 4 emissions regulations. An important consideration in development was to enable retrofits of existing MaK M43C diesel engine installations, the M46 DF engine sharing the same footprint and system interfaces as its successful 430mm-bore sibling. “The new engine was designed to provide operators with industry-leading thermal efficiency for lowest total cost of operation,” asserts Detlef Kirste, MaK product definition manager. “It offers optimised load response and load stability in addition to numerous support features, such as remote monitoring and engine system diagnostics to assist operators with routine service and maintenance work.” The M46 DF series represents a challenge for Wärtsilä’s 50DF and MAN Diesel & Turbo’s 51/60DF medium speed designs in LNG carrier propulsion business as well as in contesting anticipated opportunities for gas engines in diverse cargo and
passenger ship sectors. • Caterpillar Inc and Anqing CSSC Diesel Engine Co. have agreed to form a joint venture to manufacture MaK medium speed marine engines for customers in China and the Asia Pacific region (see page 38).
Cat power in demand for offshore vessel projects
Some 140 engines and gensets will be supplied by US-based Caterpillar Marine Power Systems over the next two years for the diesel-electric plants of 40 Bourbon Offshore newbuildings under construction at the Sinopacific yard in China.
Sixty Cat 3516C high speed diesel-electric propulsion (DEP) engines will be packaged with Kato alternators for 20 anchor handling/ tug/supply (AHTS) vessels, and 80 Cat 3512C DEP engines will be provided for 20 platform supply vessels (PSVs). The AHTS vessels will feature three V16-cylinder 3500C series-driven gensets, each rated for 2,000kW at 1,800 rpm, contributing to a towing capability of 80 tons. The PSVs will be served by four V12-cylinder 3500C series-driven gensets, each developing 1,360kW at 1,800 rpm.
Manufactured at Caterpillar’s Lafayette Engine Centre in Indiana, the constant speed 3512C and 3516C DEP engines exploit advanced electronic fuel systems and ADEM ›››
Marine Propulsion I February/March 2012 I 33
systems were also changed to optimise engine/waterjet matching as well as fuel economy and overall vessel performance. Compared with the previous engines,
reports Gary Sommerfeld, Phillip’s Cruises’ captain and project manager, the new EPA Tier 2-compliant units will significantly reduce NOx emissions as well as visible smoke and sulphur oxides. Major performance enhancements are also delivered, engine noise has been halved and the ride is described as ‘absolutely vibration free’.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132