Compact, safe and high-performance mtu engines for offshore platforms

• New Series 4000 engines for offshore platforms with higher power output and reduced fuel consumption levels
• Compliance with all current international emission guidelines without the need for additional exhaust gas after-treatment

Friedrichshafen/Aberdeen, 8 September 2009. mtu is currently presenting its Series 4000 engines for offshore applications at the leading European trade show for the oil & gas industry, i.e. the “Offshore Europe” in Aberdeen, Great Britain. The type 4000 P63/83 12,16 and 20 cylinder engines are predominantly designed and optimized for use on offshore platforms and utilized there to cover power and emergency power supply requirements, as well as fire extinguishing pumps. These engines cover a power output range from 1,140 to 2,800 kW (1,529 to 3,752 bhp) with a speed range of 1,500, or, 1,800 min-1. At the same time, they are designed for unlimited continuous operation as well as partial load operation for emergency power supply applications. These engines also comply with all current emission guidelines like IMO and EPA Tier II, as well as TA air emission standards issued by the German government - all of which without the need for additional exhaust gas after-treatment. At the same time, these mtu engines also comply with EC requirements with regard to explosion protection standards (ATEX).

Moreover, all these diesel engines have received associated certifications from the classification societies like ABS, DNV, LRS, GL, RS and BV, and - to round it off - even comply with the German KTA standard for use as emergency power supply gensets in nuclear power plants.

Key selling points of the Series 4000 P63/83 engines include distinctively low fuel consumption levels and a world-wide unrivalled power to weight ratio in their power output range. In fact, the power to weight ratio is at an amazing 3.4 - 4.3 kg/kW and is therefore of particular interest for offshore applications, since here is where every additional ounce in weight necessitates expensive structural features for the platform concerned. Of course, the fuel consumption levels with their amazing 199 - 210 g/kWh is exemplary - a bonus, particularly in connection with continuous power gen applications.

As all of the modern mtu engines, the 4000 P63/83 comes with the electronic engine management system ADEC (Advanced Diesel Engine Control). So as to comply with the exigent fire protection standards on the offshore drilling rigs, both the exhaust gas lines and the turbochargers feature a liquid-cooled circuit. This particular turbocharger and exhaust gas line design serves to ensure that the engines’ surface temperature never exceeds 220°C, whilst keeping this temperature even down to a level of 200°C on engines in use in zone 2.

The latest generation Common-Rail injection system facilitates a flexible definition of all essential parameters like the time and duration of the injection process by way of setting the injection pressure of up to 1,800 bar accordingly, thereby facilitating optimized combustion results: an essential bonus on the way towards obtaining substantial reductions in fuel consumption levels whilst simultaneously complying with current and future emission limits.