ABB takes wraps off two turbocharger developments

Air outlet silencer

DECEMBER 1, 2015 — ABB has used the Marintec 2015 event in Shanghai, China, to launch two new products. One is the large engine industry’s first commercial turbocharging air outlet silencer package and the other is its smallest turbocharger for two-stroke marine engines, the A160-L.

The air outlet silencer is the first product available to the market to reduce noise emissions for turbochargers on low-speed marine engines. It reduces the noise level of compressed air leaving the turbocharger and is a key element in ABB’s noise reduction packages, now available for A100-L and A200-L turbochargers. The turbocharger noise reduction package contains additional special noise damping elements and has been designed to meet IMO noise emission standards revised in July 2014.

The revised SOLAS regulation II-1/3-12 requires new ships to be constructed to reduce on-board noise and to protect personnel from noise in accordance with the revised Code on Noise Levels On Board Ships. Mandatory maximum noise levels are set out for all spaces on ships; for accommodation areas this is a reduction to 55 dB(A) from 60 dB(A).

The ABB air outlet silencer has been designed to reduce air-related noise emissions by approximately 5 dB, depending on the turbocharger location, and other variables.

“With up to a 5 dB reduction in noise emissions, the noise level perceived by a human ear is almost reduced by half, thus making a considerable contribution to the noise level limit set by the IMO SOLAS regulations, said Joachim Bremer, Head of Product Line, Low Speed, ABB Turbocharging. “The development of the air outlet silencer underlines our focus on the safe operation of our turbocharging products, and on reducing environmental pollution. In creating a quieter working environment for seafarers, we are bringing to our customers the ABB Group commitment to occupational health & safety.”

New small turbocharger

The newly launched A160-L completes ABB’s series of turbochargers for low speed engines and is designed for operational flexibility and sustained high efficiencies in small-bore diesel, dual fuel and gas engines. The product enables reduction of engine fuel consumption and lower emissions – two key concerns for customers. The axial-turbine design with high efficiency and robustness enables the application of latest technologies for IMO Tier III compliance without compromise on fuel economy, thereby fulfilling customer needs.

Smaller in size than the well-known A165-L, the A 160-L allows more space on the engine. In addition, it offers simplified, rapid maintenance in line with market demand.

“Our A100/A200 series is proven technology, delivering unrivaled performance in its class,” says Mr. Bremer. “The design for highest efficiencies enables optimized engine tunings, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions on-board some of the largest vessels in the world. With the A160-L we are now able to deliver the same benefits for small-bore low speed engines. In addition, we have listened to our customers’ requirements to maximize uptime, resulting in a product that is easier to maintain, with longer service intervals so operators can be assured of their turbochargers’ reliability, literally from dry dock to dry dock.”