A three-year collaboration between Hyundai Heavy Industries and Rolls-Royce has now born fruit with the introduction of a compact new medium speed engine, the Bergen C25:33 L.

Designed as a prime mover for diesel-electric propulsion or diesel mechanical systems, the engine has a 250 mm bore and 330 mm stroke and operates at 900-1,000 rpm. This speed was seen to be the best compromise between the industry preference for a low speed in heavy duty auxiliaries and the potentially lower price per kW of a fast- turning unit, keeping in mind the synchronous speeds needed for 50Hz and 60Hz electric power generation. However, depending on service requirements, the C-engine can also be delivered for 720 / 750 rpm

Orders for four units have already been received for delivery in the Spring of 2002. The engines will form the heart of a diesel electric propulsion system for an offshore service vessel being built in Norway, and there are options for a further four engines for a sister ship.

Versatility was a leading design requirement for the C-engine. A major market is as a marine auxiliary genset running on heavy fuel, but other important applications are as marine propulsion engines and as prime movers in either geared mechanical or diesel-electric systems. The design can also incorporate a gas-fueled variant for land power generation.

An evaluation of available materials and the desired time between overhauls determined both the piston speed (and thus the stroke) and the brake mean effective pressure. .

The C-engine has been designed around the philosophy that a new design must be cost-effective from the outset, but should be able to profit from general improvements in materials and components. Marine diesel engines typically have a long production life and begin with large growth margins. Such an approach may lead to engines that are unnecessarily large and expensive. The C-engine has been designed with sufficient margins, and upratings will come through real improvements in existing parts and measurable technical progress.

Times between overhauls are set at an impressive 15,000 hours for the top end and 30,000 hours for the bottom end, whether the C25:33 runs on HFO or distillates.

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