The recently introduced Wärtsilä 31 engine, which has been acknowledged by Guinness World Records as being the world's most efficient 4-stroke diesel engine, has been selected to power a new generation icebreaker currently under construction at the PJSC Vyborg Shipyard.
The ship is being built on behalf of FSUE Atomflot, the enterprise of Rosatom, the State Corporation for Atomic Energy. The order was signed in September.
Yamal LNG Project
When delivered, the icebreaker will serve the Yamal LNG project in Sabetta, located northeast of the Yamal peninsular in Russia. The project is one of the largest industrial undertakings in the Arctic. The 31 engine was chosen for its fuel efficiency, reliability, its operational flexibility and its performance in extreme environmental conditions. The new vessel will operate in temperatures as low as minus 50°C.
Aker ARC 124
The new generation icebreaker Aker ARC 124 will feature three 8-cylinder Wärtsilä 31 engines. The installation will also include Wärtsilä's online monitoring of the engines. The first major service required by the Wärtsilä 31 comes only after 8000 running hours (compared to 2000 running hours for engines of a similar class).
The Wärtsilä 31 engine
The Wärtsilä 31 is the first of a new generation of medium speed engines, designed to set a new benchmark in efficiency and overall emissions performance. It is available in eight to sixteen cylinder configurations and has a power output ranging from 4.2 to 9.8 MW, at 720 and 750 rpm. This 4-stroke engine has the best fuel economy of any engine in its class. At the same time, it maintains outstanding performance across the complete operating range. Its modular design enables a significant reduction in maintenance time and costs, thereby improving power availability and reducing the need for parts.
Picture: The new Wärtsilä 31 engine will power the icebreaker currently under construction at the PJSC Vyborg Shipyard.
