Powerful RK280 hits the market

The Ruston arm of the MAN B&W group generated a lot of interest when it launched its latest engine series at Europort 2001. Named RK280, it is claimed to be the most powerful 1,000 rev/min diesel engine in the world. The design incorporates the extensive field experience gained with the RK270 engine series, which in its 16 and 20 cylinder guise has been widely used for the propulsion of high-speed passenger/vehicle ferries. It is the product of advanced design and manufacturing techniques including concurrent engineering, predictive engineering and technology risk assessment. The RK280 range of engines is available in 12, 16 and 20 cylinder formats and claims to offer significant advantages to shipbuilders, owners and operators in all applications. MAN B&W maintains that the engine?s class leading fuel consumption of less than 190 g/kWh and a power output of 450 kW/cylinder not only make it the most powerful engine in its class but also the most efficient. The main features include an advanced fuel injection system giving improved fuel consumption, reduced NOx levels of less than 10g/kWh, improved performance and transient response, says MAN B&W. Strategic cooling of cylinder liners eliminates water passages from the crankcase, facilitating maintenance and minimising installed weight, it adds. A 52 deg. vee angle minimises torsional effects, says the company, and allows the location of the intercooler within the engine vee thus reducing the engine height. The crankshaft is manufactured from a high tensile nickel-chromium-molybdenum (NiCrMo) continuous grain flow steel forging. The RK280 features integrated pipework, simple free end connections and incorporates the oil filter, cooler and thermostatic valves onto the engine. This, says MAN B&W, results in a reduction in off engine components and thus eases installation, reduces maintenance and lowers operating costs. The company has backed up its claims by extending the recommended service interval to 32,000 hours.