State the difference between ME engine and RT flex engine?

The two major manufactures of two stroke cross head engines have both introduced a camshaft less
engine.
Sulzer calls as RT flex engine and MAN B&W cal as intelligent engine.
Both engine use electrical and engine driven axial piston pumps to pressurize servo oil rails to 200bar
which are then used for fuel injection and exhaust valve operation. In addition MAN use the servo oil to
drive the cylinder lubricator units(alpha system).
Although both work without a camshaft and use computers to control fuel injection, exhaust valve
operation and air starting, the method of fuel injection is different.

Unlike the sulzer RT flex engine the MAN ME engine does not operate the fuel injection on a common
rail system.
Instead a solenoid operated proportioning valve (the FIVA valve - fuel injection valve activation ) allows
the pressurised servo oil under a hydraulic piston. This then moves the fuel piston upwards, raising the
fuel pressure and opening the injection valves.
A nitrogen filled accumulator maintains the hydraulic servo oil pressure during the operation of the pump.
To be able to time the fuel injection the control systems must know the crank angle of the individual
units. To do this two crank angle sensors are fitted at the free end of the engine. These sensors are
accurate to 0.1%. Cylinder pressures and powers are continously monitored by using strain gauges built in
to the cylinder head and the computer automatically compensated for twist in the crankshaft when relating
crankshaft position to cylinder pressure, the systems give complete flexibility over start and end of
injection and take into account fuel quality, dead time (the time between injection start command being
given and actual injection), and variable injection timing (VIT)

Wartsila v/s MAN Marine Engines- Whos

is the best ?

The stronger the marine engine, the better is the

ships propulsion power and speed. When it comes to
selecting marine engines for ships, there are only a few
countable names in the market, including MAN B&W and
Wartsila.In this article we are going to compare the two
most powerful marine engine brands in the maritime
industry.As discussed in one of our previous articles,
the Most Popular Marine Propulsion Engines , MAN Diesel
Turbo (previously known as MAN B&W) and Wartsila
(Previously known as SULZER) are the two front-runner
giants for supplying propulsion solution to the shipping
industry.Wartsila & MAN both are in fact two rivals who
have the best products and R&D in the industry. In this
article, we will compare the different propulsion
technologies provided by these two companies and will list
out which technology has got the edge over the
other.Note: This comparison is derived and compiled after
taking views from professional marine engineers who have
worked on both of these engines. However, this is not a
yardstick for selecting marine engines for a ship.
Wartsila v/s MAN Marine Engines

Technology/ Wartsila MAN Diesel Who gets the

System SULZER Turbo EDGE?

Intelligent RT Flex- A ME Engine- Wartsila- For

Engine complete Complete installing an
electronically electronically Intelligent
controlled controlled engine
engine with engine technology in
common rail integrated 2001. Prior to
system with MAN (2003).
hydraulic
control.

Fuel Injection Common rail Hydraulic Wartsila- For

Electronic actuated integrating
Technology/ Wartsila MAN Diesel Who gets the
System SULZER Turbo EDGE?

System control with Electronic Delta control

Delta Control with 3
Injection Injection injectors
System system controlled
independently
for different
load.

Exhaust Valve Electronically Camshaft MAN- For

Control controlled operated integrating a
variable Exhaust smart
exhaust valve valve for mechanical
timing reliable exhaust valve
operation operation in
Intelligent
engine for
reliable
operation.

Fuel Injectors Conventional Zero Sac MAN- Slide

fuel injectors Volume type type fuel
fuel injectors injector
with slide reduces after
valve burning and
hence NOx
emission
Technology/ Wartsila MAN Diesel Who gets the
System SULZER Turbo EDGE?

Fuel Pump Spill, suction Jerk type MAN- Super

valve plunger VIT with
controlled barrel independent
pump with controlled injection
VIT pump with timing control
Super VIT w.r.t fuel
index.

Starting Air Starting air Starting air Wartsila-

system valve opened valve open Additional
by 30 bar air by 30 bar air safety
and a closing and shut by provided in
supply for spring. positive
positive shut Bursting disc closing and
along with provided to relief valve for
spring. avoid reliability
A relief valve overpressure during
in air during manoeuvring.
manifold to explosion
avoid
overpressure
during
starting
airline
explosion.

Piston and Convex OROS type MAN-With

Technology/ Wartsila MAN Diesel Who gets the
System SULZER Turbo EDGE?

Rings shaped piston Piston for OROS piston,

with Jet better the Maximum
Shaker combustion piston
cooling. area and temperature
Chromium reduction in reduces by
coated Piston piston 90C.
ring. temperature. With CPR
Controlled ring, better
Pressure pressure
Relief type distribution on
top piston liner and lower
ring. ring.

Cylinder Liner Fine honed Bore cooled Wartsila-

and bore liner. Better cooling
cooled Liner and insulation
with mid increases
layer Cylinder liner
insulation. Life

Main Bearing White metal Tri metal MAN-Tri

bearing lined bearing with metal bearing
on thin back. high load with long life
carrying and better
capacity. embed ability.

Crosshead 12-15 bar Small size Wartsila-

Technology/ Wartsila MAN Diesel Who gets the
System SULZER Turbo EDGE?

pressure from bearing with Elevated

separate oil wedges to pressure
pump retain oil ensures better
supplied to which is lubrication at
bigger size supplied by high load.
plain bearing. normal A back up line
system is provided in
pressure. case of failure
of crosshead
pump.

Cylinder Electronically Alpha MAN- ACC

Lubrication controlled Adaptive with different
Pulse Cylinder inputs like
Lubrication Lubrication sulphur
System with control content and
metered system load index
quantity allowing provide better
injection blending of neutralizing
cylinder oil features.
for different
grade of
sulphur in
fuel

Drive Gear driven Chain driven MAN- Chain

with timing with 2 chains drives are
Technology/ Wartsila MAN Diesel Who gets the
System SULZER Turbo EDGE?

gear driving driving a cheaper,

the camshaft camshaft lighter and
easier to
maintain and
duplication
provides
backup.

Turbocharging Prefers Axial Variable MAN-VTA

turbocharger Turbine allows engine
with constant Angle to run without
pulse system. turbocharger auxiliary
provides blower at low
better load operation.
operation at
all load
range

Exhaust Valve Cobentional W seat for MAN- W seat

Valve seat better allows cooling
with Nimonic operation of exhaust
and Stellite and valve during
coating increased combustion
time between stroke
overhaul.
Dura spindle
with better
Technology/ Wartsila MAN Diesel Who gets the
System SULZER Turbo EDGE?

heat resistant
property.

Miscellaneous Tribo pack Electronic Wartsila- With

allows monitoring Tribo pack
increased system for which is a
time between safe package of
overhaul of operation. design
cylinder measures
component increases the
up to 3 years. TBO to 3
Electronic years.
monitoring
system for
safe
operation

From the above comparison, it can be seen that MAN

has
an edges over Wartsila by a thin margins.
However, with the worlds most powerful marine engine
(Wrtsil RT-flex96C) in its basket, Wartsila is one
company that doesnt have to prove anything.