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Investment in Design Two-Stroke Milestones by David Tinsley, technical editor Eastern seaboard operator Gypsum Transportation provided a beacon for the industry when it nominated a camshaft- less, electronically controlled Sulzer diesel engine for its 50,000-dwt-bulker newbuild project. Now, the interests behind a Mediterranean reefership scheme have also endorsed the concept, which represents a milestone in two- stroke technology, and signals a step change in large diesel engine operating flexibility. In one sense, MAN B&W stole a march on arch-rival Wartsila through the recent conversion at sea of a low-speed, MC-series propulsion engine to full electronic control. However, Wartsila's latest success in sealing contracts for two Sulzer engines configured from the outset for operation in electronic mode gives new commercial succour to the group's technological drive. As with Gypsum Transportation's self- unloader, due to be commissioned in July, a newly-booked pair of reefer ves- sels for the Israeli export trade will pro- vide an operating platform for the inno- vative Sulzer RT-flex system. Just as the results from the extended, 10,000-hour test of the 6L60MC elec- tronic engine in the chemtanker Bow Cecil will influence the future MAN B&W two-stroke program, the RT-flex contracts have potentially enormous, long-term significance for Wartsila's low-speed engine business and future technological endeavors. If shipowners can realize the gains in reliability, economy and flexibility across the complete engine operating profile promised by the advocates of the electronic mode, demand for such plant will surely accelerate. The capital cost of low-speed machinery employing computerized fuel injection and valve actuation, relative to the conventional, camshaft-fitted product, would not appear to be an issue. Rather, and in time-honored fashion, the shipping industry will be looking to a fair spread of operating and performance results from such a fundamental change in engine design before it unreservedly embraces the technology. The Sulzer RT-flex system applies common-rail fuel injection to the low-speed sector. Common-rail systems, first used on smaller types of four-stroke machinery, are also being introduced to the large medium-speed diesel category, as AMOS Computer The AMOS A310M Maritime Computer was designed by SpecTec focusing on the safety and reliability required in crit- ical applications on ships and offshore installations. VIKING LIFE-SAVINd EQUIPMENT VIKING Davit-Launched Liferaft Available in 12,16,20, 25 & 35 person capacities Automatically self-righting liferafts in 25 & 37/39 person capacities VIKING Marine Evacuation Chute The high-capacity single-chute system evacuates 353 persons in 30 minutes and the high-capacity side-by-side chute system evacuates 706 persons in 30 minutes. • Viking liferafts are U.S.C.G. approved •SOLAS '96 amendmentsito SOLAS '74 regulations VIKING VIKING UFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT (AMERICA) INC. 1625 N Miami Avenue • Miami FL 33136 Tel (305) 374-5115 Fax (305) 374-1535 http://www.viking-life.com • e-mail: us®viking-Iife.com The AMOS A310M Maritime Computer has passed all tests required by the classification societies, including the IEC-945 specifications. MS nTEAPrroaipaicmi Please contact us at: SpecTec 6961 Hanging Moss RD Orlando, Florida 32807 Tel: +1 407 671 4019 Fax: +1 407 671 6606 E-mail: allen.amos@disctec.com Main Office Oslo: Tel: +47-67 52 55 50 AMOS SOLUTIONS BY SpecTec AMOS SOLUTIONS: AMOS Computer AMOS Express AMOS Mail AMOS Maintenance AMOS Personnel AMOS Purchase AMOS Inlbmanager AMOS RAST AMOS SAMA AMOS Satcom SFI Group System Circle 270 on Reader Service Card Circle 275 on Reader Service Card www.maritimetoday.com Maritime Reporter/Engineering News
