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Mrkim
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date added
2009-06-21
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Sport
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Awesome engine and technology
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Awesome engine and technology

"a large machine on a flatbed trailer"

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Comments for: Awesome engine and technology
Mrkim Report This Comment
Date: June 21, 2009 01:07PM

The Wartsila-Sulzer RTA96-C turbocharged two-stroke diesel engine is the most powerful and most efficient prime-mover in the world today. The Aioi Works of Japan's Diesel United, Ltd built the first engines and is where some of these pictures were taken. It is available in 6 through 14 cylinder versions, all are inline engines. These engines were designed primarily for very large container ships. Ship owners like a single engine/single propeller design and the new generation of larger container ships needed a bigger engine to propel them. The cylinder bore is just under 38" and the stroke is just over 98". Each cylinder displaces 111,143 cubic inches (1820 liters) and produces 7780 horsepower. Total displacement comes out to 1,556,002 cubic inches (25,480 liters) for the fourteen cylinder version.

Some facts on the 14 cylinder version:Total engine weight:2300 tons (The crankshaft alone weighs 300 tons.)
Length:89 feet Height:44 feet
Maximum power: 108,920 hp at 102 rpm Maximum torque: 5,608,312 lb/ft at 102 rpm

Fuel consumption at maximum power is 0.278 lbs per hp per hour (Brake Specific Fuel Consumption). Fuel consumption at maximum economy is 0.260 lbs/hp/hour. At maximum economy the engine exceeds 50% thermal efficiency. That is, more than 50% of the energy in the fuel in converted to motion. For comparison, most automotive and small aircraft
engines have BSFC figures in the 0.40-0.60 lbs/hp/hr range and 25-30% thermal efficiency range. Even at its most efficient power setting, the big 14 consumes 1,660 gallons of heavy
fuel oil per hour.

The internals of this engine are a bit different than most automotive engines.
The top of the connecting rod is not attached directly to the piston. The top
of the connecting rod attaches to a "crosshead" which rides in guide channels.
A long piston rod then connects the crosshead to the piston. I assume this is
done so the the sideways forces produced by the connecting rod are absorbed
by the crosshead and not by the piston. Those sideways forces are what
makes the cylinders in an auto engine get oval-shaped over time.
Installing the "thin-shell" bearings. Crank & rod journals are 38" in diameter
and 16" wide



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 21/06/2009 01:13PM by Mrkim.
Mrkim Report This Comment
Date: June 21, 2009 01:52PM

Lookin again at this pic I began to contemplate what kind of structure it might take to be able to mount this thing into a ship and then how it would actually be installed. These facets alone seem to require assemblies of mind boggling enormity and complexity eye
popping smiley

smoking
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Onyma Report This Comment
Date: June 21, 2009 02:09PM

Pretty amazing to imagine, eh? Puts a whole new perspective on "Engine Hoist"
dv8 Report This Comment
Date: June 23, 2009 09:40PM

lets build a giant lawnmower with iteye
popping smiley
woberto Report This Comment
Date: July 17, 2009 09:27AM

Ahem...
woberto Report This Comment
Date: March 02, 2013 10:56PM