Think you've seen a big diesel? Think again!! (pics) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bjcsc · #1 04-04-2004, 06:49 PM

The Wartsila-Sulzer RTA96-C turbocharged two-stroke diesel engine is the most powerful and most efficient prime-mover in the world today. The Aioi Works of Japan's Diesel United, Ltd built the first engines and is where some of these pictures were taken.

It is available in 6 through 14 cylinder versions, all are inline engines. These engines were designed primarily for very large container ships. Ship owners like a single engine/single propeller design and the new generation of larger container ships needed a bigger engine to propel them.

The cylinder bore is just under 38" and the stroke is just over 98". Each cylinder displaces 111,143 cubic inches (1820 liters) and produces 7780 horsepower. Total displacement comes out to 1,556,002 cubic inches (25,480 liters) for the fourteen cylinder version.
Some facts on the 14 cylinder version:
Total engine weight: 2300 tons (The crankshaft alone weighs 300 tons.)
Length: 89 feet
Height: 44 feet
Maximum power: 108,920 hp at 102 rpm
Maximum torque: 5,608,312 lb/ft at 102rpm

Fuel consumption at maximum power is 0.278 lbs per hp per hour (Brake Specific Fuel Consumption). Fuel consumption at maximum economy is 0.260 lbs/hp/hour. At maximum economy the engine exceeds 50% thermal efficiency. That is, more than 50% of the energy in the fuel in converted to motion.
For comparison, most automotive and small aircraft engines have BSFC figures in the 0.40-0.60 lbs/hp/hr range and 25-30% thermal efficiency range.

Even at it's most efficient power setting, the big 14 consumes 1,660 gallons of heavy fuel oil per hour.

Installing the "thin-shell" bearings. Crank & rod journals are 38" in diameter and 16" wide:

The crank sitting in the block (also known as a "gondola-style" bedplate). This is a 10 cylinder version.
Note the steps by each crank throw that lead down into the crankcase:

The cylinder deck (10 cylinder version). Cylinder liners are die-cast ductile cast iron. Look at the size of those head studs!:

The first completed 12 cylinder engine:

coachgeo · #2 04-04-2004, 07:58 PM

this has been posted several times in here. Amazing disel though aint it.

vahe · #3 04-04-2004, 08:28 PM

Here is another big diesel, much slower than my 240D, it is NASA's Shuttle transporter, it gets about 0.007 miles per gallon:

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap020304.html

Thanks,
Vahe

#4 04-05-2004, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vahe
Here is another big diesel, much slower than my 240D, it is NASA's Shuttle transporter,

I don't know about that....

The power to weight ratio is about the same

Jimmy Joe · #5 03-09-2005, 12:37 AM

remember this beast?

oilslick · #6 03-09-2005, 08:13 AM

but where are the glow plugs?

Kevin

R Leo · #7 03-09-2005, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilslick

but where are the glow plugs?

Kevin

They build a bonfire in the intake for a heater.

83-240D · #8 03-09-2005, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vahe

Here is another big diesel, much slower than my 240D, it is NASA's Shuttle transporter, it gets about 0.007 miles per gallon:

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap020304.html

Thanks,
Vahe

its not so much the mileage but the speed. 3 days from building to launch pad? 1/2 mile? not to mention the limited number of vacation sites on the route and the lack of food service and no potty stops and......well you know.

#9 03-09-2005, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vahe

Here is another big diesel, much slower than my 240D, it is NASA's Shuttle transporter, it gets about 0.007 miles per gallon:

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap020304.html

Thanks,
Vahe

Nice picture of "Columbia" those unfortunately those engines wound up about 40 miles from my parents home in East Texas. My brother was outside and heard the explosion and thought it was the "trumphets sounding the return of Jesus to earth" He said he had to "pinch" himself to see if he was left behind. He thought for a second that he had, untill he ran in and turned on the television set to see what was up.