Wärtsilä 31SG coming off the factory line in Vaasa, Finland. Photo credit: Wärtsilä
Posted on 11/21/2017 5:35:03 PM PST by Oatka
Wärtsilä 31SG coming off the factory line in Vaasa, Finland. Photo credit: Wärtsilä
Finnish technology group Wärtsilä has introduced a gas-fueled version of its Wärtsilä 31 marine engine, which is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s most efficient 4-stroke diesel engine.
The engine, dubbed the Wärtsilä 31SG, builds on the efficiency of the successful Wärtsilä 31 engine, but with added flexibility and efficiency compared to its conventionally-fueled and dual-fuel predecessor.
“The defining feature of the Wärtsilä 31SG is its ability to achieve simple-cycle efficiency levels in excess of 50 % (compared to around 40 % with modern gas turbines), which represents a milestone achievement in the energy sector,” according to Wärtsilä. “In addition to reducing emissions, this higher efficiency offers the potential for considerable cost savings to power producers.”
The 20-cylinder, spark-ignited Wärtsilä 31SG produces 12 MW of power. The specially designed robust engine structure has an unprecedented brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) of 30 bar, allowing it to fully accommodate all the benefits of two-stage turbocharging, explains Wärtsilä.
“Another huge benefit made possible by the Wärtsilä 31SG is the increased flexibility which enables rapid response to continuously changing load patterns, especially within systems having a notable share of solar and wind energy. The engine can be continuously operated at 10 percent load, and can reach full load in two minutes from the start command. This flexibility overcomes the challenge created by the daily stops and starts that are inevitable with output from renewable sources,” the company says.
The big plus, IMO, is the flexibility in load handling that breathes new life into the generation using "sustainable" sources.
Ships don’t use NG for fuel.
However, that is not a whole lot of houses, like 12k homes. Obviously, if you include businesses, that number goes down.
Great for ships, though!
Some ships are using NG as fuel, and numbers are increasing.
This is a big news item. Thanks for posting. More efficient than turbines. Wow. These could be used for distributed power generation which nicely segues into having a more robust power grid.
Politics is a scam and we’re suckers for playing.
Well that’s cool but Sako and Valmet rifles, The Winter war the anti Tank Lahti? Metal Rock Church Mass, Hot chicks and even Lingonberrys beat that.
Wigwam! Hanoi Rocks LOL
The article is a little confusing. They talk about diesels (compression ignition) and NG (spark ignition).
Haven’t heard of ship propulsion units using NG but will have to research it.
If you’re looking for a more robust power grid these are very nice. Plus if these were down scaled you could use for a business. I.e. generate your own power. At some point going off the power grid might be a pretty good economic move.
Politics is a scam and we’re suckers for playing.
Did I mention Sauna?
I’ll be damned. LNG is being used to fuel ship propulsion.
Learn something new everyday around here.
No they use LNG and the new ships have gas turbine engines.
And don’t forget that EVERYONE there knows how to drive. And drive well.
Suomi onmahtavaa !
-Teppo
LNG transports use NG for fuel.
LNG carriers certainly do. They are fueled by the boiloff of the cargo that would otherwise be wasted by venting to the atmosphere.
I just love then because they liked Ivans ass in the winter war!
The in-service and on-order fleet of LNG-powered seagoing ships has reached the 200 mark. The double century was achieved on 20 March 2017 when Sovcomflot confirmed orders for four ice-class Aframax tankers of 114,000 dwt at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries.
The complement of LNG-fuelled vessels that are not LNG carriers comprises 103 in-service ships and 97 on order. The total represents a year-on-year jump of 23 per cent.
Twelve months ago, when LNG World Shipping last carried out a comprehensive review of the LNG-fuelled fleet, there were 74 such vessels in service and 88 on order.
The LNG World Shipping survey breaks the LNG-fuelled fleet into four categories ꟷ passenger ships; tankers and bulk carriers; containers and dry cargo ships; and service and supply ships.
http://www.lngworldshipping.com/news/view,lngfuelled-fleet-hits-200-ship-mark_46977.htm
Wigwam ~<a href =”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh4hLHoJshs"; Pigstorm
Like a still
licked Ivans ass
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