The new Wärtsilä 20DF engine completes the ra...

Wärtsilä Corporation, Trade & Technical Press release, 1 December
2009

Wärtsilä, the marine industry's leading ship power system integrator,
has extended its dual-fuel technology to the lower power range with
the launch of the new environmentally advanced Wärtsilä 20DF engine.
It offers ship owners and operators a compact unit that brings all
the advantages of fuel flexibility to auxiliary applications, such as
generating sets or as the prime mover in smaller vessels. The new
Wärtsilä 20DF engine is a testimony to Wärtsilä's ability to
successfully utilize gas as a main fuel for marine operations. This
makes gas a practical and attractive option at a time when prices for
liquid fuels are uncertain, and when environmental requirements are
becoming increasingly stringent.

The tightening emission regulations under the IMO Tier II & III and
ECA zone implementations, and volatile fuel prices mean that ship
owners and operators are facing serious challenges. Solutions for
complying with new environmental rules while maintaining
cost-efficient operations vary, but only one - natural gas - appears
to fulfil all the requirements.


The Wärtsilä 20DF completes the dual-fuel range

With the launch of the Wärtsilä 20DF, Wärtsilä is extending the
benefits of dual-fuel (DF) technology to cover the entire power
range. Based on the well proven and reliable Wärtsilä 20 diesel
engine introduced in the early 1990s, fuel flexibility means the
engine can be optimized for constant speed generating sets, as well
as variable speed mechanical drives, for main engine applications.

Installed alongside Wärtsilä 34DF or 50DF main propulsion machinery,
a Wärtsilä 20DF generating set completes the multi-fuel engine room
concept. Compact and light, the Wärtsilä 20DF is intended for use in
those vessel types where the Wärtsilä 20 is currently installed.

As well as being an ideal mechanical-drive prime mover in smaller
applications, such as small cargo vessels, ferries or tug boats, it
is also an excellent choice for harbour generating set applications
in a wide range of vessel types.


Main fuel flexibility

Fuel flexibility enables owners and operators to opt for the most
suitable fuel, taking account local environmental restrictions, fuel
price variations, and fuel bunkering availability. A unique feature
of the Wärtsilä DF dual-fuel engines is their ability to run on
Natural Gas, Marine Diesel Oil (MDO), Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and Bio
Fuels, thereby providing maximum flexibility in fuel choice.

In marine applications, fuel flexibility also represents a
significant safety feature. In the case of an interruption to the gas
supply, Wärtsilä DF engines automatically switch to diesel operation
without any loss in speed or power output. Single-fuel installations
do not have this additional level of operational safety.


Keeping emissions under control

When a DF engine is running in gas mode, CO2 emissions are reduced by
approximately 20% since natural gas has a lower carbon content than
liquid fuels. The lean-burn combustion process employed means that
NOX emissions are reduced by approximately 80%, while SOX emissions
are completely eliminated as natural gas does not contain any
sulphur. The production of particulates is practically non-existent
as natural gas has virtually no residuals.

Lean-burn combustion technology results in extremely-low emission
values and very-high engine efficiency. In this process, the
combustion of a lean air-gas mixture is initiated by injecting a very
small amount of MDO as pilot fuel. To obtain the best efficiency and
lowest emissions, each cylinder is individually controlled to ensure
operation at the correct air-fuel ratio, and with the correct amount
and timing of pilot fuel injection.

Wärtsilä has further developed UNIC, a special electronic control
system that copes with the demanding task of controlling the
combustion in each cylinder, while ensuring optimal performance in
terms of efficiency and emissions under all conditions. Stable and
well-controlled combustion also contributes to less mechanical and
thermal load on the engine components.

In gas mode, Wärtsilä DF engines are already compliant with the
forthcoming IMO Tier III regulations without the need for any
secondary exhaust gas purification systems. In liquid fuel oil mode,
all Wärtsilä DF engines are fully compliant with the IMO Tier II
exhaust emission regulations set out in Annex VI of the MARPOL 73/78
convention.


The Wärtsilä 34DF & 50DF

The established Wärtsilä 34DF and Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines
have a strong track record. The Wärtsilä 34DF (435/450 kW per
cylinder) is manufactured in configurations of from 6-cylinder
in-lines to 20-cylinder engines in V-configuration. The maximum
mechanical output is 9000 kW and the engine speed is 720 or 750 rpm
for use with 50 or 60 Hz applications. The Wärtsilä 50DF (950/975 kW
per cylinder) is manufactured in configurations from 6-cylinder
in-lines up to 18-cylinder engines in V-configuration, and has a
maximum mechanical output of 17,100 kW at engine speeds of 500 or 514
rpm. The Wärtsilä 50DF has a maximum thermal efficiency of 49%, which
is higher than any other medium-speed engine.

Like all Wärtsilä engines, the design of the Wärtsilä 34DF and the
50DF engines is simple and straightforward. Piping and external
connections are minimized, safety margins are ample, maintenance is
easy and quick, and an electronic safety protection system is built
in.

Wärtsilä 34DF and Wärtsilä 50DF engines represent the core of an
offering that is able to fulfil both local and international
environmental requirements, while maximizing the overall economic
viability in both electrical and mechanical applications.


Skills and knowledge

With over 20 years of experience, and more than 1000 gas engines sold
and in continuous operation, Wärtsilä is the marine sector's market
leader in natural-gas based power production, and a skilled and
knowledgeable partner. To date, Wärtsilä's DF technology has
accumulated more than 1,500,000 engine running hours, and the total
power installed will reach 4,000,000 kW by the end of 2010.

Wärtsilä's extended gas product portfolio is supported by in-depth
know-how, competence, and design capability. Wärtsilä is an ideal
system integrator whenever there is a need to optimize
propulsion-related equipment. The Wärtsilä range covers natural gas
storage, processing and distribution onboard, LNG use in DF engines
(both main and auxiliary), power distribution, propulsion equipment,
and control and automation systems. All these elements are integrated
into a comprehensive system designed and produced by Wärtsilä for
each application.


Welcome to meet us the Marintec exhibition in Shanghai, China, 1-4
December on stand number 2G41 in Hall 2!


Link to related material:
Link to information about Wärtsilä 20DF on www.wartsila.com
Link to information about Wärtsilä 34DF on www.wartsila.com
Link to information about Wärtsilä 50DF on www.wartsila.com


Links to pictures can be found at the end of this release.

Picture 1: The Wärtsilä range covers natural gas storage, processing
and distribution onboard, LNG use in DF engines (both main and
auxiliary), power distribution, propulsion equipment, and control and
automation systems.

Picture 2: Wärtsilä's extensive gas product portfolio is integrated
into a comprehensive system designed and produced by Wärtsilä for
each application.


Media contact:
Ms Marit Holmlund-Sund
Senior Manager, PR and Marketing Communications
Wärtsilä Corporation
Direct tel: [phone]
Direct fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
Internet: www.wartsila.com


Wärtsilä in brief:
Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for
the marine and energy markets. By emphasising technological
innovation and total efficiency, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental
and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its
customers.
In 2008, Wärtsilä's net sales totalled EUR 4.6 billion with 19,000
employees. The company has operations in 160 locations in 70
countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX
Helsinki, Finland.

www.wartsila.com


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