Last week off the west coast of Sweden, Volvo Penta effectively broadened it product range to compete more efficiently. The new D8 diesel and IPS15 pod, as well as the full range of command and control products have been tested at Krossholmen, Volvo Penta’s Global Marine Testing Center.
The new D8 Diesel Engine
The 8-liter engine expands the offering for applications that require low weight with high power suited for propeller, waterjet and Volvo Penta IPS applications: it is designed for use in planing craft, fast patrols, coast guard and rescue launches, police and ambulance boats, water-taxis and high-speed passenger ferries, fishing boats, and offshore support vessels.
The D8 has already been in use in the inland industry and it is new to the marine market: Volvo Penta is running a diverse test boat fleet of more than three dozen boats, ranging in size to 70 feet in length.
The D8 is an in-line six-cylinder engine with a cylinder capacity of 7.7 liters, twin-entry turbo and sea-water cooled heat exchanger, a heat exchanger manufactured of composite material to eliminate corrosion. The engine has a common rail system (Denso) working up to 2000 bars. The injection is electronically controlled, and injection is essential for the engine’s power, torque, fuel efficiency, low noise and emission levels.
“The high power-to-weight ratio together with the new common rail injection system where the nozzle has been optimized, together with a piston bowl of re-entry type, will provide excellent fuel efficiency,” said Anna Pettersson, chief project manager for Volvo Penta’s marine engines.
Volvo Penta has developed three power outputs for the D8 inboard range – of 450, 510 and 550hp. They are designed to conform to the US EPA Tier 3 emissions standards, as well as IMO II and EU IWW. EPA certificates are expected in January 2017. Power ratings will be set at R3 (for 450hp), and R4 for both 510 and 550hp. The IPS system, engine, drive and propellers are expected to be approved by DNV-GL. The inboard engine will also require certificates, which will be applied for from the classification societies: DNV-GL, RINA, LR, China CSS, RS and the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). The engine will be ready for delivery in June 2017.
Inboard Performance System IPS15
Volvo Penta’s Inboard Performance System (IPS) is the showcase of the company’s innovations in marine engineering, and last week the IPS family added a fourth member, the IPS15, which has been developed and optimized to fit the D8 engines for the commercial market. Since its inception in 2005, Volvo Penta has continuously worked to develop its IPS pods to offer an integrated propulsion package with greater performance, fuel efficiency, maneuverability and comfort.
“It is all about propulsion efficiency and productivity for the yards, designers and operators. This is a fantastic move for us and our customers,” says Jakob Ursby, strategy manager for Volvo Penta’s Marine Commercial sector.
The IPS design features forward-facing twin counter-rotating propellers which are mounted beneath the hull. As the propellers operate in undisturbed water, they cause less drag, which Volvo Penta claims improves performance and fuel consumption by up to 30% compared to traditional inboard engines. Features of the type approved IPS15 package include:
– Improved materials for heavy-duty commercial use.
– Reduced ratio of weight and hydrodynamic resistance.
– Reduced ratio of hull insert size.
– Optimized backpressure with 6-inch exhaust system.
– A new propeller series (N) custom fit for the system.
– Improved maneuverability with increased steering angle at low speed.
Integrated Solutions
While the engines and IPS are central components, the entire package includes a family of intuitive and integrated controls, encompassing a joystick option, docking mode and dynamic positioning; it includes Humphree trim and stabilization products, as Volvo Penta recently took a majority stake (80%) in the iconic company; and it include the ‘glass cockpit’ solution, which ties together critical operational information in one neat, customizable package.
Installation of the IPS with 8-liter engines can be made for twin and triple configurations. For triple installations, one pod can also be disengaged and the engine can be used in PTO mode – for example, in powering a water canon on fire rescue boats – while still keeping maneuverability on the other two. The new package has three power settings: D8 IPS600, D8 IPS650, and D8 IPS700.
The package has been designed to conform to US EPA Tier 3 emissions. The D8 IPS models will be available for delivery in May 2017.
