Rolls-Royce extends B33:45 engine range

The B33:45V12P engine, currently under production at the company’s plant in Norway, is the first step in a family extension that will expand the power range from 3.6MW for the six-cylinder inline engine to 12MW for the planned V20 variant.

The company declined to disclose the identities of two owners in discussions for placing the first unit, but noted that it had received interest from the fishing segment. The engine will be ready for delivery by the third quarter of the year.

In keeping with the modular philosophy of the B3X:45 family, the V version features the same bore size and cylinder power output (at 600kW) as the existing inline version, and the engine block will be shared by the gas engine when it becomes available. The V-angle is increased from 55˚ on earlier Bergen V engines to 60˚, in order to accommodate bigger air receivers facilitating cylinder bypass.

The B33:45 range has proved popular since its launch in September 2014, selling around 60 units. The range was designed as a simple and recognisable engine platform with modern performance, capable of being upgraded as required by owners. Simplicity is evident in the choice of single-stage turbocharging and traditional pump line nozzle injection (a common rail option will be introduced next year), while high performance is key: the engine features similar cylinder output regardless of running speed, low fuel consumption at 175g/kWh (at 85% load) and Tier II compliance without after treatment.

Thor Humerfelt, head of engineering, Bergen Diesel, Rolls-Royce Powersystems, said: “The first reference engine of the range, installed in 2015 has now been running for more than 7,500 hours. It has been a good start and we are on the right track to extend the family to the V12.”

A full report on the new engine will be published in The Motorship’s May issue.

B33:45 design data

Bore: 330mm
Stroke: 450mm
Cylinder volume: 38.5l
Speed range: 720/750 rpm (generator); 450-750 rpm (propeller)
Cylinder power output: 600kW
Break mean effective pressure: 26 bar at 720 rpm; 25 bar at 750 rpm
Specific air consumption: 6.4kg/kWh at full load
SFOC: 176g/kWh at full load; 175g/kWh at 85% load