HHI gas engine development

Ricardo UK Ltd, a global technology and engineering consultancy, has been awarded a 26-month gas engine contract by the world’s largest marine diesel engine builder, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).

Ricardo and the Engine & Machinery Division of HHI have previously worked together on advanced diesel and gas engine development. The new contract will involve a number of stages to create the new V16 gas variant of the H32/40 series of HiMSEN medium-speed diesel engines for operation using compressed natural gas fuel.

The scope of work will see Ricardo UK Ltd assist HHI with a complete new engine development programme. The first phase of work will involve the concept design of the new engine, which will range from market surveys, outline component and system specification and initial supplier selection to the production of a full concept design layout.

In the second phase of the programme the design of the new engine will be developed in detailed form, supported by extensive use of computer aided engineering methods. The penultimate phase will see the procurement of parts and build of the first V16 gas variants of the H32/40 series power generation and marine propulsion family of engines. The programme will then be completed with a rigorous schedule of engine development testing.

The chief executive of Ricardo, Dave Shemmans, said: “The award of the H32/40 V16 gas engine contract builds upon the very strong business relationship existing between Ricardo and HHI, one of Korea’s leading industrial companies. The fact that Ricardo has been selected for this key new engine programme demonstrates the depth of our skills and engineering expertise and the global reach of our services. We look forward to working with HHI on what we fully expect will be another world-class product.”