24 - Ruston (MAN B&W)

Abstract

Ruston Diesels is a pioneering Britain-based engine-builder, which was acquired by MAN B&W Diesel AG of Germany in June 2000. The company has developed a program that embraces three medium speed designs namely RK215, RK270, and RK280 series. The RK270 engine entered service in 1982, the 270 mm bore/305 mm stroke design inheriting the pedigree of the 254 mm bore RK series that originated in the 1930s and continued in the program as an upgraded RKC series with a 305 mm stroke. The RK270 retained well-proven features of its predecessor but exploited new components to underwrite a higher performance and achieve enhanced lightness and compactness. New 20RK270 engines benefited from two TPL 65 turbochargers, the latest generation from ABB Turbo Systems. The higher efficiency of these units, compared with the previous VTC 304 type, yielded a further reduction in exhaust temperature and specific fuel consumption at full power. The company has also launched a completely new medium speed engine, the RK280 design that offers considerably higher output than the long-established RK270 series for commercial and naval propulsion and genset drive applications. The 280 mm bore engine was introduced as the world's most powerful 1000 rev/min design, released with an initial rating of 450 kW/cylinder.