Low speed : More power possible

There are no technical reasons why 14-cylinder in-line versions of the K98MC-C engine cannot be built, says MAN B&W. This would give an output of 79,900kW (108,600hp), a weight of around 2,460t, and a length of over 28m.

“The crankshaft is the key structure, and this can be divided into two or three parts,” says Mr Peter Sunn Pedersen, head of research at MAN B&W. Calculations have shown that torsion and vibration in the crank would not be a problem and, like the 12-cylinder, the chain drive could be in the centre rather than the end.

“Thermodynamic is the most difficult part but with this you don`t have to invent anything new, its conventional technology all the way through,” says Mr Sunn Pedersen. He feels this may be why owners would prefer a longer engine rather than a vee type which would be a more elegant solution.

While the turbo-charger arrangement on a 14-cylinder engine would require work, Mr Sunn Pedersen says it is little more than application engineering. A potential problem would be a propeller that could absorb the full engine power, but a yard would have to look at this aspect.