Engine and genset family completed
Volvo Penta’s new D13 MH engine is intended to combine high output, Tier 3 emission levels and heavy duty cycles
Volvo Penta has completed its 13-litre displacement engine family with the launch at Nor-Shipping of heavy duty and genset versions.
The light duty six-cylinder D13 engine was launched at the last SMM show, and this is now supplemented by heavy duty propulsion engines in heavy-duty and medium-duty ratings, and an auxiliary gen-set unit.
The company says that the new D13 MH for medium- and heavy-duty marine commercial applications is deigned to combine the best of two worlds, being both powerful and fuel-efficient, and meeting the IMO Tier 3 limits. It is claimed to offer exceptional durability, low fuel consumption and minimal emissions, thanks to its foundations in the tightly-regulated automotive industry. Volvo Penta claims that the marinised version of the D13MH offers particularly high torque, reached at around 800-900rpm, with five output ratings from 400bhp to 600bhp. The reserve of torque facilitates manoeuvring and low-speed towing, using the power take-off, and performing a crash stop.
The particularly low levels of NOx emissions and visible smoke come from technology more usually associated with larger medium-speed four-stroke engines, namely the adoption of a Miller cycle with a high-pressure pulse turbocharging system. The D13 MH uses a mid-position, twin-entry turbo with waste gate. To cope with the high specific output, a plate heat exchanger is employed for cooling.
Fuel consumption around 4% lower than comparable engines is acheieved using Volvo Penta’s EMS 2 electronic engine control system to control the unit injectors, one per cylinder, which operate at a pressure up to 2,000bar and manage to achieve a significant noise reduction.
“The focus when developing the D13 MH was to offer a Tier 3-compliant marine diesel engine that also had lower fuel consumption, more power-to-volume and even higher durability than the current D12,” says Gerard Törneman at Volvo Penta. “Not an easy task considering the D12 is one of the most successful Volvo Penta engines ever.”
The D13 MH is available with two type-approved onboard electronic control alternatives: EVC or MCC. EVC is Volvo Penta’s electronic platform with integrated controls and features such as low speed and cruise control. MCC is fully classified for all SOLAS and society demands, including ocean-going. The maker says the engine will meet the demands of all major classification societies, and the latest EU IWW, CCNR, IMO and EPA emission legislation requirements. The engines and the control system are type-approved by LR, DNV, GL, IRS, RS and CCS.
The same engine is available as a gen-set, under the designation D13 MG. This is available with keel cooling, heat exchanger or radiator cooling making it suitable for auxiliary, harbour operations, emergency generator and diesel electric propulsion. The noise level has been further reduced thanks to variable injector pressure and the efficient cooling system. The harbour and emergency gen-sets with radiator cooling system can offer even lower sound pressure with an optional visco fan. The D13 MG is designed to be easy to service and has a 500-hour service interval.
The D13 MG genset is equipped with the MCC control system, intended for ease of interface with ship control systems. It is available in a range of electrical outputs ranging from 310kVA at 1,500rpm, 50Hz to 475kVA at 1,800rpm, 60Hz.
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