MAN B&W Diesel Ltd a leading manufacturer of medium speed diesel, heavy fuel, dual fuel and spark ignited gas engines; displayed its new series of engines ~ the RK280 at the Europort 2001 Exhibition in Amsterdam.
The marine industry has traditionally been the driving force for engine development with the continuing demand for faster and heavier payload vessels. Market demands including higher power, reduction of cost of ownership and greater environmental friendliness have been the driving force behind the development of the most powerful 1000 r/min engine in the world.
The RK280 is a natural progression of the company’s highly successful product range developed since the introduction of the original RK diesel engine in 1934. The current Ruston series of RK215 and RK270 engines are producing over 2 million kW of power in over fifty countries throughout the world. Its sixteen and twenty cylinder RK270 engines have been world leaders in the propulsion of high-speed passenger/vehicle ferries since their inception in 1990. Throughout the world Ruston engines also provide land based power generation and mechanical drives in climates from desert to Arctic conditions.
The RK280 range of engines; available in twelve, sixteen and twenty cylinder formats; offer significant advantages to shipbuilders, owners and operators in all applications. Its class leading fuel consumption of <190 g/kwh and a power output of 450 kW/cyl not only make it the most powerful engine in its class but also the most efficient.
The design of the engine has been achieved by utilising extensive field experience with the company’s products and employing the latest design and manufacturing techniques ~ including concurrent engineering, predictive engineering and technology risk assessment.
With integrated pipework, simple free end connections and the inclusion of oil filter, cooler and thermostatic valves onto the engine the series offers a reduction in off engine components for ease of installation, reduced maintenance and low operating costs.
The original design of the engine series is for an output of 500 kWb at 1000 r/min however, at its initial release it will be restricted to 450 kWb/cyl until the results of field testing are evaluated.
Charles Foulkes, Managing Director Ruston, believes the RK280 together with the future investment will make MAN Diesel Ltd the "Supplier of Choice" for medium and high speed engines.