Hyundai shows its mettle with powerful new medium-speed

The 460mm-bore series has a slightly greater bore-to-stroke ratio than the comparable European types, and will initially comprise five models in configurations from 12 to 20 cylinders, offering 1,300kW per cylinder at a crankshaft speed of 600rpm, or 1,200kW at 500/514rpm. Conceived for diesel-mechanical and diesel-electric marine propulsion as well as stationary power generation applications, the H46/60V considerably extends the HiMSEN unit power band coverage to 26,000kW.

Key elements of the development project were outlined by HHI in a presentation entitled Full line-up of HiMSEN family by newly-developed H46V, at the 2013 CIMAC Congress. While harnessing technological advance to optimum effect to meet exacting performance and regulatory standards, the importance attached by the company to what it terms “customer-friendly” design is manifested in the H46/60V. This has been a recurrent theme throughout the roll-out of the HiMSEN family over the past 12 years.

“The H46V medium-speed engine will have a unique design to meet not only new emissions regulations but also clients’ requests for an easier maintenance concept,” asserted HHI. A modular concept, lower component count and a ‘pipe-free’ layout contribute to reduced complexity and improved maintainability. The modular build approach also promotes production efficiencies, leading to competitive pricing.

To secure high reliability and performance, state-of-the-art technology has been utilised together with extensive analysis and evaluation, and drawing on field experience with the rapidly growing HiMSEN population. Features of the H46/60V development programme have included an emphasis on structural strength to minimise thermal load and noise and vibration, highly-efficient turbocharging, advanced Miller timing, and optimised combustion chamber design, crown shape and nozzle specification. The adoption of variable valve timing, as already applied to smaller-bore HiMSEN engines, makes it possible to optimise combustion performance and to reduce smoke emissions during part-load operation.

Teams from the company’s design, research and manufacturing divisions are continuing studies into the most effective solution, or combination of methods, both engine-internal and external, to satisfy future, stricter environmental regulations. Aftertreatment technology, albeit in the most compact form practicable, will be required for IMO Tier III compliance.

To secure a high power to weight ratio, the latest analytical techniques have been brought to bear on the task of optimising the engine structure. It is understood that a figure of 11.5kg/kW has been achieved.

Type approval for the H46/60V was secured from nine classification societies during March 2013, and endurance tests were subsequently put in hand at the group’s Ulsan complex.

Development work is to be set in train on an in-line engine to complement the vee-type models. In addition, variants of the H46/60V capable of operating on LNG fuel are envisaged.

In the meantime, the creation of a portfolio of HiMSEN dual-fuel four-stroke engines is well in hand, starting with the 350mm-bore H35DF. The prototype has already been type-approved, and the series to be rolled-out will produce 480kW per cylinder to cover unit power requirements from 2,880kW to 9,600kW. The H35DF is expected to be followed over the next few years by the 260mm-bore H26DF, and the 210mm-bore H21DF.