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PROPULSIONUPDATE Grctndi Motori Already Has Orders For Its New Long-Stroke Medium-Speed Diesel —Literature Available— Now undergoing prolonged test- ing in the Trieste factory of the Grandi Motori division of Fincan- tieri Cantieri Navali Italiani is a new long-stroke, higher-powered, me- dium-speed 4-stroke engine cover- ing a power range from 9,900 to 33,000 bhp. With a cylinder output of 1,650 bhp at up to 450 rpm, this BL550 diesel is one of the world's highest-powered, medium-speed en- gines for ship propulsion or land- based electric power generation. Rigorous testbed trials are con- tinuing, and GMT director M. Car- chidio says that the results are more than confirming predictions. Orders have already been received for four of these newly developed BL550 engines—two 6-cylinder units for a ferry ordered in Italy by the Italian State Railways, and two dual-fuel (gas and diesel oil) Vee- type units for a total-energy plant for Turin. The engines for the ferry are scheduled for testbed trials in October this year. The BL550 is a further develop- ment of the GMT 550-mm bore, 4- stroke engines put on the marine and industrial markets in 1970. Compared with the original A550, the new BL550 has the piston stroke increased from 590 to 630 mm, rpm from 435 to 450, MEP from 17.6 to 21.6 bar, and output per cylinder from 1,200 to 1,650 bhp. As with all Grandi Motori low- and medium-speed engines, the BL550 is designed and equipped to burn heavy fuel oil. Over the past 10 years research and development ef- forts have been concentrated on re- ducing further the specific fuel con- sumption and improving reliability, with extended operating periods be- tween the need for maintenance or overhaul. The new engine retains the prov- en characteristics of the B550 ver- sion. The increased stroke/bore ra- tio, from 1.07 to 1.15, has enabled the compression ratio to be raised without excess shallowing of the combustion chamber, which have otherwise reduced the volume for effective fuel atomization, but the present design has reduced fuel con- sumption to 130 grams per bhp hour. However, as a result of a high- er maximum combustion pressure and increased compression ratio, GMT's design team confidently pre- dicts a lower value of 124 g/bhp-hr. Lower fuel consumption and ex- haust valve temperatures are the result of an improved pulse-pres- sure-charging system using the latest turboblowers of greater effi- ciency, together with readjusted timing for the inlet and exhaust valves. The frame and bedplate continue From Samoa to San Fraricfsi From Los Angeles to San Diego For QUALITY VERSATILITY PERFORMANCE SOUTHWEST MARINE, INC. SPECIALISTS IN THE REPAIR. MODERNIZATION & MAINTENANCE OF SEAGOING VESSELS Seacoast Electric Company is the source for military wire, cable and electrical supplies. We feature the largest and broadest inventory in the world, accompanied by custom designed "Just In Time" inventory management services. Shipboard Cable MIL-C-915E, MIL-C 24640, MIL-C-24643, PMS 400 Marine Electrical Equipment Navy Symbols, Terminal and Stuffing Tubes, Circuit Breakers, Communication Equipment, Motor Controllers Seacoast's worldwide network of stocking service centers guarantees 24 hour delivery anywhere. SAN DIEGO YARD SAN PEDRO YARD foo' ol Sampson Sireel 985 S Seas.Oe RO Box 13308 PO Bo* 334 7 San Diego. CA 92113 Terminal Island. CA 90731 (619)238-1000 (213)519-0600 TWXNo 910-335 1167 TWX No 910-345-6638 SAN FRANCISCO YARD SAMOA YARD Southwest Ma'ine ol San Sout»nesi Marine o< Samoa. Inc Franoscc. Inc PO. Box 1387 PO Box 7644 (P>er 28) Pago Pago. San Francisco CA 94120 Amer can Samoa 96799 (4151 543-0499 684-633-4122 Telex 525SWMSB SOUTHWEST MARINE. INC 1983 Military Wire and Cable MIL-C-17, MIL-C-5756, MIL-C-3432, MIL-C-13486 Airframe/Aerospace Wire and Cable MIL-W-81044, MIL-W-22759, MIL-W-81381, MIL-W-27500, BMS#, BXS#, STS,GC,GW SEACOAST ELECTRIC COMPANY YOUR SOURCE TODAY FOR THE NEW IDEAS OF TOMORROW. ' USA-New Jersey 201-779-5151, Texas 713-868-3636, California 213 538-5930; Slngapor« Singapor» 8621421, Telex 24316 Circle 237 on Reader Service Card 44 Circle 301 on Reader Service Card Maritime Reporter/Engineering News
