Most powerful common-rail engine successfully tested

The first 12-cylinder Sulzer RT-flex96C low-speed marine engine developed by Wärtsilä has successfully completed its official shop test. With a maximum continuous power output of 68,640 kW at 102 rpm, it is the most powerful engine so far to employ common-rail technology.

The engine is one of four ordered in 2003 for the propulsion of four 7,700 TEU Post-Panamax container liners contracted by Blue Star Reederei, a subsidiary of P&O Nedlloyd BV, with the Japanese shipbuilding group IHI Marine United Inc. Built under licence by Diesel United in Aioi, Japan, it was first started on 17 May 2004 and completed its official shop test on 7 June.

After the initial adjustments and running-in, the engine has been subjected to an extensive series of tests. Optimisation of the Sulzer RT-flex system with this size of engine was completed with an eight-cylinder Sulzer RT-flex96C during March/April at another licensee, HSD Engine in Korea. Further tests, however, have been made with the 12-cylinder engine into the performance of the engine with its common-rail systems. Throughout the tests, the engine has run satisfactorily, without any difficulties and its performance has fully met expectations.

At the top of the Sulzer RT-flex range, the RT-flex96C engine has been extremely successful in the market. In total, 64 engines have been ordered since the engine type was introduced at the beginning of 2003.