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Smallest, Electronically Controlled Two-Stroke Engine

First S35ME-B Commissioned and Shipped for Installation

23 September 2008. MAN Diesel has on September 15th shipped its first MAN B&W 35-bore electronically controlled, two-stroke engine. The engine is, thus far, the smallest within the ME-B-family that offers bore-sizes of 35, 40, 46, 50 and 60 cm, covering a power range of 4,350 - 19,040 kW. The first S35ME-B, in an 8-cylinder execution, has successfully completed testbed trials at MAN Diesel’s Frederikshavn-plant in Denmark. The engine will arrive at Soli Trading & Shipbuilding Industry S.A., Turkey, in early October for installation aboard the first of two vessels. The engine will be fitted to drive MAN Diesel’s 4.4-metre Alpha CP Propeller type VBS 1280 at 167 r/min, and, from the front-end, a 1,200-kW step-up gear and alternator.

Stronger, shorter and lighter
Compared to the existing S35-models, the new ME-B version is more compact, despite its higher output at lower revolutions for larger propellers, and more suitable for efficient aft-ship designs. Comparing, e.g., a 6-cylinder S35ME-B with its power equivalent, the 7-cylinder S35MC, the former offers an additional 40 kW with a 0.42-metre shorter engine length, and an engine weight that is 3 tons lighter. Additionally, its SFOC is reduced by 2 g/kWh.

With an electronic injection control, and a rate-shaping flexibility, the S35ME-B engines are well prepared to meet the IMO Tier-II emission restrictions. The fuel-injection system follows the well-proven concept from the advanced, large-bore ME-C engine range. With the ME-B, two electrically driven, hydraulic pumps deliver the power for the injection system. The exhaust valves are, however, cam-operated in the conventional way – matching the cost and complexity  equirements for this size of engine.

The ME-B design offers flexible engine parameters. In particular when combined with the optional VTAturbocharger (variable turbine area), the SFOC in the partload operating area can be further optimised.

Unparalleled basic reliability
The heritage and continuous success of MAN B&W’s 35-cm, ‘small-bore’, two-stroke engines date back to 1982 when the L35MC engine arrived with a rating of 500 kW/cylinder at 200 r/min. Design revisions and upgrades over time, such as S-versions with a longer stroke and higher output at lower revolutions, have continuously been the answer to prevailing market requirements. Accumulated feed-back on the most popular engine designs in this power segment and the test of time have paved the way for high reliability, long TBOs and very low life-cycle costs for the latest S35ME-B engine generation.

Globally, accumulated sales of MAN B&W 35-bore engines amount to 2,230 units. Currently, cumulative ME-B sales stand at 93 engines.