Rolls-Royce Power System Successfully Launches Pure Gas, High Speed ​​Marine Engine

It is reported that the 16-valve MTU 4000 engine has been tested on the rig for 3,000 hours and will be delivered to the customer after entering the series in 2018.

Ulrich Dohle, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said that we can now confirm that this engine can meet the requirements of customers, and its performance and acceleration performance are as excellent as diesel engines, with economical, reliable and clean advantages. This spark-ignited, lean-burn engine has a power range of 1500-2000 kW and is based on the improved 16-valve MTU 4000 M63 diesel engine used in workboats to meet IMO Tier III NOx emission limits without the need for exhaust aftertreatment. The machine is equipped with a multi-point single-cylinder gas injection system designed to provide dynamic acceleration to the engine, improve performance and reduce pollution emissions. The machine is also designed with a dynamic motor management system and an advanced single-stage turbocharger.

At the end of 2017, the first of these engines will be used to power a tugboat built by the Damen Shipyard. The owner will be the towing and salvage company Svitzer, which will jointly promote the world's first high-speed gas-powered tug into operation.

After the introduction of the 16-valve machine, the MTU 4000 gas machine range will also include an 8-cylinder machine with a power range of 750-1000 kW. Starting in 2019, the aircraft will provide propulsion for a Lake Constance ferry, the owner of Stadtwerke Konstanz.

According to Rolls-Royce, this dynamic acceleration, low pollution emissions, reliable and economical new gas engine is ideal for matching tugboats, ferries, pushers and special purpose vessels, including research vessels.