(MUNICH, Germany) — The U.S. Coast Guard will have MAN’s 28/33D STC engines installed as the main propulsion for its new offshore patrol cutter (OPC) program. The program is the replacement platform for the 13 Famous-class and 14 Reliance-class cutter vessels, making the order the largest vessel procurement order in the Coast Guard’s history.
Each of the new 360-foot cutters will be powered by two MAN 16V28/33D STC engines, developing 7,280 kW each at 1,000 rpm. Fairbanks Morse Engine will produce and test the engines at its Beloit, Wis., plant, while Eastern Shipbuilding Group Inc., based in Panama City, Fla., will design and construct the OPC ships. Initially, the USCG has ordered nine ships with plans to ultimately produce 25. Delivery of the first ship of the class to the USCG is scheduled for 2021.
The 28/33D STC engine
The MAN 28/33D STC engine offers compact power with a high power-to-weight ratio. All engines are fully compliant with current environmental standards, producing NOx emissions that fulfil IMO Tier II (+ Tier III with selective catalytic reduction) and EPA Tier 2 regulations. Maintenance costs and servicing downtime are kept low thanks to high engine availability.
STC concept
The sequential turbocharging (STC) concept operates with twin, high-efficiency MAN TCA33 axial turbochargers — specially developed for the MAN 28/33D STC engine — with the option to switch the second turbocharger off at low engine loads. Using the very simple STC system allows the engine to be operated at its optimum operating point over the whole applicable load range.
High efficiency at full and part loads results in a substantial air surplus, thorough combustion without residues, and low thermal stress of combustion-chamber components. STC also delivers decreased smoke emissions, low vibration and reduced part-load fuel consumption.
The overall result when using an STC system is an extended operating envelope at low engine speeds, which gives a power reserve for ship acceleration, ship turning, sprints or towing.
FME
Fairbanks Morse Engine has been a long-time partner and licensee for MAN Diesel & Turbo engines since 1968 and manufactures medium-speed MAN engines for US government projects.
Fairbanks Morse delivers application-specific, fuel-flexible power systems that deliver optimal performance in mission-critical applications. These applications include power generation — base load and standby power plants, and emergency back-up power for nuclear plants, and ship propulsion and shipboard power for the United States Navy, Military Sealift Command (MSC), Coast Guard and commercial vessels. Fairbanks Morse reliable engine-drive solutions can also be found in a wide range of municipal, institutional and industrial applications.
FME is a company of EnPro Industries Inc., a leader in sealing products, metal polymer and filament wound bearings, components and service for reciprocating compressors, diesel and dual-fuel engines, and other engineered products for use in critical applications by industries worldwide.
