MAN-branded Pielstick models

Technology is leaping across the divide between MAN B&W Diesel?s various operating subsidiaries. The most recent example is the SEMT Pielstick developed PC2.6B, which MAN B&W is now selling as its own-branded V40/50 engine. Jean-Fran?ois Chapuy, sales manager for SEMT Pielstick at its Paris office, says the V40/50 combines the advantageous features of a Pielstick engine, such as compactness (in terms of weight and volume), cast iron crankcase, strong cylinder head and an anti-bore pollution ring, with the strengths of MAN B&W?s own medium-speed engines. He adds that the speed has been increased and new concept cylinder heads and liners have been developed. Five 16-cylinder V40/50 engines have racked up a combined running time of 15,000 hours at a power plant in Honduras. These are outputting up to 1,030 hp (757kW) per cylinder according to Chapuy, while maintaining a similar mean effective pressure to the PC2.6B, despite the increased speed. As yet no sales have been recorded into the marine market, but Chapuy says there are good signs coming from the core target markets ? conventional fast ferry operators in Japan and the Mediterranean: “The reaction of the market has been very positive during the promotion,” he says. Further developments at Pielstick are concentrated at the research and development laboratory in St Nazaire where current projects include supercharging emissions, injection and common rail.