MHI to build first electronically controlled engine

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) will build its first electronically controlled diesel engine for a large pure car carrier (PCC) ordered by Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) to be constructed at Toyohashi Shipbuilding. This latest model, called 8UEC60LSII-Eco, boasts reduced NOx emission by about 15% and less smoke and soot. A special feature of the engine is greatly improved fuel economy at partial load. The PCC has a car carrying capacity of 6,400 units and will enter service in June 2005.

The electronic control system is adopted for controlling fuel injection, exhaust valves, the starter, and cylinder lube injection. Accurate and functional control of these principal components will contribute to the overall economy of the engine due to optimization of fuel and lube consumption. This system will also improve engine operation in the full range from the start-up to full load.

MHI started design of an electronically controlled diesel engine in 1988, and conducted tests on the single cylinder test engine at the Nagasaki Research Institute. In October 2003, the 7UEC33LSII diesel engine used for electric power generation at the Kobe Shipyard was redesigned into the electronic control engine (for all cylinders), and verification tests started on the engine which proved successful. MHI will continue to develop the UEC Eco-Engine in order to meet the ever-increasing requirements of environmental regulations and improved economy.

Besides the UEC60LSII-Eco, MHI has also completed development of the UEC33LSII-Eco and UEC50LSII-E engines and will continue to apply the electronic control system to all types of LSII and LSE engines.