Wärtsilä upgrades modular waterjets
The development is based on a new axial pump design, which boosts performance with an increased thrust of up to 3%, while the improved cavitation margins help reduce the environmental impact by lowering noise levels.
“We have been able to keep the notable benefits from the LJX-series, and the interface between the waterjet and the vessel remains identical to that of the LJX,” said Leendert Muilwijk, general manager, product group waterjets at Wärtsilä.
“Similarly, the small transom interface dimensions, and best in class weight are unchanged, but overall performance is now improved,” he added.
The new WXJ pump, which is an integral part of the waterjet technology, has been tested both in computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation and with model testing. The waterjets are aimed at various global market sectors, including high-speed ferries, frigates and other fast speed naval vessels, yachts, shallow draft vessels, large fast crew vessels, and large fast supply vessels.
Wärtsilä axial waterjets are single stage systems that combine mixed flow properties with an axial construction resulting in less space being needed on the vessel’s transom and increased waterjet cavitation margins. The reduced transom size also decreases the weight and savings can be as high as 20% compared to non-axial jet designs.
