In fact, service results of 570 mm bore PC engines operated by Shinnihonkai Ferry (Table 4) show that with 6 × PC4.2 and 12 × PC 40 engines in service, 5919872 cylinder running hours have been cumulated at 1215 kW/cyl with four main engine troubles and 3061404 hours at 1325 kW/cyl (10% up-rating) with only one engine trouble. This represents respectively 0.68 and 0.33 failures per 106 cylinder running hours which amounts to a 50% reduction of the failures rate with the latest increased power rating.
A similar analysis of failures rate based on cumulated running hours by engines (instead of individual cylinders) results in 5.7 and 4.2 failures per 106 engine running hours which still amounts to a 25% improvement of the failures rate.
Table 4 - Main engine troubles of the "SHINNIHONKAI FERRY" ships with PC engines
CONCLUSION
The step by step development strategy allows to incorporate in each step the experience of previous versions which ensures, besides minimised risks for the engine designer, a maximised safety guarantee to the end user.
References
[1] Herrmann - "New generation of S.E.M.T. Pielstick medium-speed engines" ISME 1995 - Yokohama.
[2] Herrmann - "Sequential turbocharging for PA6 engines" Institute of Mechanical Engineers, London 1989.
[3] Herrmann - "New generation of S.E.M.T. Pielstick PC2 engine at 600 rpm" Volume 1 - CIMAC 1998 Copenhagen.
[4] Rolland - "Most powerful diesel engine for high-speed crafts" Volume 3 - CIMAC 1998 Copenhagen.
