Slow Steaming Solutions

for fuel consumption reduction

2013-05-17

Background
1. Background
Duo to ever rising fuel oil prices, owners and
operators of larger-bore two-stroke low-speed
engines have been looking for different ways to
save on fuel expenses without having to
compromise on engine reliability and emissions.
Since the worldwide financial crisis developed in
the second half of 2008, low-load operation or slow
steaming has been the standard of the day for
many owners operating two-stroke engines. In the
early days of slow steaming, mainly container
vessel operators requested to operate at low load.
Today, also operators of tankers, bulkers, etc. are
beginning to operate continuously at low loads.

QMD

Background
Slow steaming operation
Low-speed two-stroke crosshead diesel engines are normally operated in a load
range above 40% CMCR.
Todays increasing fuel costs require rather slow vessel service speeds resulting
in an continuous engine operation between 20% and 40% engine load.
When running the engine continuously at loads lower than Normal Load , it is
called Slow Steaming.

QMD

Background
Low load operation disadvantage without any modification :

1. Low turbocharger efficiency.

2. Higher exhaust gas temperatures.
3. Continuous operation in the Very Low Load range may result in increased
cold corrosion due to low combustion chamber temperatures, increased deposit
formation, and general engine fouling.

QMD

Slow Steaming _Running with T/C cut off

Service Letter ( SL) RT-139, Running of main
engines with turbocharger cut-off

To protect engine against excessive high load,

temperature and stress while T/C cut off
operation
Introduction of power limit guidance for
unlimited continuous operation with T/C cut- off
operation
Special attention to monitor performance
parameters if engine operate above guided limit
Emergency operation due to unexpected T/C
failure are not intended

QMD

Service Letter RT-139

All TC in operation (25%,45% & 50% load), 8 RT-flex96C

1 TC in Operation (25%,45% & 50% load), 8 RT-flex96C

Excessive high
P max with T/C
cut off operation
WRTSIL 2-STROKE SERVICE EXPERIENCE Big Bore May 2013

Slow Steaming _Running with T/C cut off

Installations with Wrtsil slow steaming upgrade kit
Wrtsil SSUK service product has Automatic limitation function for power limit
- 90% of max allowed T/C speed
-

90% Scav. pressure from FAT

proper setting of alarm to be monitored

Installations with turbocharger cut- off not supplied by Wrtsil
- Reset manual fuel limiter setting on Speed control system
- Reset Speed set point
- Monitoring of Shaft power meter
- On-line power monitoring system ( i.e ICC/ ICM )

QMD

Installations with Wrtsil slow steaming upgrade kit

Engine operation in the load range between 20% and 100% CMCR without any
additional restrictions.
Electronically-controlled turbocharger cut-off without compromising on engine
reliability.

QMD

Installations with Wrtsil slow steaming upgrade kit

QMD

Installations with Wrtsil slow steaming upgrade kit

The Upgrade Kit Slow Steaming enables:

Operating the engine at lower load without operation of the auxiliary blower

Reduction the risk of turbocharger and economiser fouling

Significant reduction of specific fuel consumption

Additional fuel cost savings, on top of the savings due to low-load operation

QMD

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Installations with turbocharger cut- off not supplied by Wrtsil

With fitting blind flanges between the turbocharger and
exhaust manifold. Continuous operation between
20%~ 50% (2 T/Cs), and 20% ~ 66% (3 T/Cs).

QMD

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Installations with turbocharger cut- off not supplied by Wrtsil

QMD

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Installations with turbocharger cut- off not supplied by Wrtsil

Flap valve is closed because seal air is supplied from engine side through seal air pipe.
In the result, sealing air is supplied to the seal air passage in bearing pedestal without
leakage to scroll.

QMD

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Installations with turbocharger cut- off not supplied by Wrtsil

Flap valve is opened because seal air is supplied from scroll. In the result, sealing air is
supplied to the seal air passage from scroll and seal air pipe.

QMD

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CONFIRMATION TRIAL
Engine Type : QMD-Wartsila 6RT-flex82C
Data

: Sept. 22, 2012

Place

: QMD assembly shop

015

CONFIRMATION TRIAL
Engine performance and emission
confirmation

Engine Type : QMD-Wartsila 6RT-flex82C

T/C Type

: MET 66MA x 2 sets

Pmax at 100% CMCR : 159 bar

Pscav at 100% CMCR : 2.95 bar
T/C speed

nmax : 14,300 r/min

Remove expansion joint between

the turbocharger and exhaust
manifold and fit blind flanges.
Remove expansion joint between
the turbocharger air outlet and
diffusor, and fit blind flanges.

016

PERFORMANCE
Engine Type : QMD-Wartsila 6RT-flex82C
Data

: Sept. , 2012

Place

: QMD

017

FUEL CONSUMPTION
Engine Type : QMD-Wartsila 6RT-flex82C
Data

: Sept. , 2012

Place

: QMD

Fuel Consumption comparison

Annual fuel saving at 45% load operation

186
184
182
180
178
176
174
172
FOC
Normal

170

168
10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

018

40%

45%

50%

EMISSION
NOx measurement result

019

APPLICATION EXAMPLE
Vessel Information
Vessel Type

: 3,100 TEU Container Carrier

Vessel Name

: Niledutch Beijing

Engine Type

: QMD-Wartsila 6RT-flex82C

Classification : GL
QMD modified the main engine of vessel
Nileductch Beijing with blink flanges from
normal condition to slow steaming condition
according to the requirement of the ship
owner.
After No. 2 turbocharger cut off, main engine
show good performance during main engine
normal operation and fuel consumption meet
expected value.
020

APPLICATION EXAMPLE
Vessel Information
Vessel Type

: 3,100 TEU Container Carrier

Vessel Name

: Niledutch Beijing

Engine Type

: QMD-Wartsila 6RT-flex82C

Classification : GL
Date

: 2013, 04

Normal voyage fuel consumption operation with slow steaming

021

Qingdao Qiyao Wartsila MHI Linshan Marine Diesel Co., Ltd.

Add:501 Li Jiang East Road, Economic and Technological Development
Zone, Qingdao, China
Tel : 086-0532-86708080
Fax : 086-0532-86708080-788

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

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