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
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 it
woberto Report This Comment Date: July 17, 2009 09:27AM
Ahem...
