MAN Diesel has announced a substantial increase in the power output of its type 48/60 engine, the mainstay of its power plant business.
The new 48/60 version from the company offers 1,200kW per cylinder, compared with 1,050kW/cylinder in the existing version and is aimed at peak load power generation applications.
The new rating represents an increase of just over 14 percent and in many applications the ability to cover demand peaks of this order will allow an increase in power demand to be covered without starting additional generators and the power plant operator to benefit from higher rates for the power delivered.
MAN Diesel stressed that the new 1,200 kW/cylinder type 48/60 engine rating has already been extensively tested in a land-based application subject to periodic load peaks.
Moreover, while this power level is now the highest in the land-based power generation sector for this class of engine, it is well established for continuous duty applications in both marine generator sets and marine propulsion applications with both diesel-electric and diesel-mechanical drive systems.
Launched in 1989 with a cylinder output of 885kW, the 48/60 was updated in 2003 with the introduction of the 1,200kW per cylinder "B" suffix versions. The main elements of the 48/60B upgrading were an increase in engine efficiency, reduced emissions of smoke and nitrogen oxide reduced engine width – and thus reduced power house dimensions – as well as improved ease of maintenance and greater simplicity, including a reduced component count and the use of only one turbocharger.
As well as the increase in specific output, attention to component weight resulted in further improvements in weight-to-power ratios.
Typical of MAN Diesel four-stroke designs, the 48/60 platform employs a rigid monobloc engine frame in grey cast iron, reinforced by vertical and horizontal tie-bolts. It employs thick walled cylinder liners designed to resist deformation transmitted from the engine frame and so give excellent piston running and sealing characteristics.
To promote low piston extraction heights without disturbing the big end bearings, the 48/60B's connecting rods are split below the small end eyes.
The 48/60 is also available in an uprated, 1,200kW/cylinder version with common rail fuel injection. Well suited to variable load applications, the 48/60CR features improved response to load changes and improved fuel consumption and emissions, especially in part load operation.
Under these conditions, the flexibility of common rail injection allows very precise matching of fuel delivery to power demand across the engine's complete operating map.
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