New mtu Series 4000 Diesel Genset Engines: Cleaner, more economical, more powerful

• 12, 16 and 20-cylinder mtu Series 4000 engines significantly more powerful than predecessors
• NOX values below 1,700 mg/m³N set a new technical standard for genset engines in the 1.2 to 3.5 MW range
• Engines for 50 and 60 Hertz applications on the market in July 2006

At “Power Gen Europe” in Cologne (30. May to 1. June 2006), MTU Friedrichshafen will be premiering the new generation of its successful Series 4000 diesel genset engines. The new engine for power generation applications is even cleaner, more economical and more powerful than its predecessor.

With nitrogen oxide values below 1,700 milligrams per cubic meter of exhaust gas across a range of 50 to 100 percent of rated power, the new genset engines undercut the previous version by 15 percent and thus set a new technical standard in the 1.2 to 3.5 MW range. The new Series 4000 diesel engines achieve these low NOX values with purely internal technology, i.e. without exhaust aftertreatment. That means they are setting new standards in 50 Hertz applications whilst the 60 Hertz engines easily meet the stringent emission limits demanded by US EPA Tier 2. The new combustion settings on Series 4000 genset engines also reduce particulate emissions to below 50 mg per cubic meter which represents a significant step in the development of ecologically sound genset engines, especially as far as the reduction of fine particulate in densely populated areas is concerned. And at less than 300 milligrams per cubic meter of exhaust gas, carbon monoxide values are just half that of the previous engine version.

12, 16 and 20-cylinder mtu Series 4000 engines significantly more powerful than predecessors

However, in no way have low pollutant emissions been achieved at the cost of performance. Just the opposite, in fact: Depending on cylinder configuration, the new engines produce 1,910 kW, 2,500 kW or 3,490 kW making them 13 percent (16-cylinder version) and 16 percent (12 and 20-cylinder versions) more powerful than the previous units. As a result, the new 20V 4000 G63L extends the performance range for prime power applications to 3000 kVA. And neither the reduction in pollution nor the increase in performance means higher consumption; the fuel-optimized version of the new Series 4000 genset engine even has slightly lower fuel consumption.

Coupled with the increase in power, the decision not to use exhaust aftertreatment, with its additional assemblies, means that the new mtu genset engines are even more compact than before. For an electrical output of 1800 kVA, for example, the more powerful 12-cylinder engine can now be used in place of the previous 16V 4000. And the new 16V is now capable of 2250 kVA prime power, replacing the previous 20V 4000 in this slot.

The latest developments in the mtu 4000 Series are part of our continuous efforts to maximize benefits for our customers and at the heart of the progress achieved lies an optimized combustion process made possible, amongst other things, by modified piston geometry, improved valve gear control and the further development of the second generation Common Rail injection system.

New electronics package: ADEC (Advanced Diesel Engine Control) engine management system with SAM (Service and Application Module) control unit

Yet another innovation featured by the new genset engines is the latest generation of mtu’s own electronic engine management system ADEC (Advanced Diesel Engine Control). Remote access to engine and plant data via the Internet means, for example, that information such as the number of hours operated can be read out or, for servicing purposes, copied to a new engine governor. In conjunction with the SAM control unit (Service and Application Module) these facilities make integration of the mtu engines in complete generation plants absolutely straightforward.

The new generation of Series 4000 genset engines is currently undergoing customer trials. The 50 Hertz version goes into production in Friedrichshafen, Germany, in July 2006 while the 60 Hertz engine is scheduled to begin production in Detroit in December this year.