MANmagazine Turbo 1/2015

man magazine
1/2015
1The amount of actuator
oil influences the
hydraulic pushrod.
Smart
savings
The MAN EcoCam retrofit solution for lowload
optimization of low-speed mechanical
engines improves fuel efficiency with a simple
yet ingenious approach to diesel engineering.
The MAN EcoCam’s
effect on NO x levels
has been taken into
consideration and
is in compliance with
IMO regulations.
2
Draining off actuator oil
allows the exhaust valve to
close earlier.
Asimple solution with great
impact; this is the premise
behind the new MAN Eco-
Cam retrofit solution. The
MAN EcoCam takes advantage of existing
mechanical engine technology by adjusting
the amount of actuator oil in the engine’s hydraulic
pushrod (1). In effect, oil is drained off
the circuit through an added pipe (2), which
enables the exhaust valve to close earlier than
in a traditional diesel engine. The result is
higher compression pressure (3), and the creation
of a “virtual” or flexible cam profile. This
profile serves as the backbone of an optimized
circuit that allows higher combustion pressure
even at lower fuel-oil consumption (4).
“The MAN EcoCam adjusts the exhaustvalve
timing between 10% and 60% load, giving
a 2-5g/kW fuel saving with minimal to
no interruption to a vessel’s schedule during
installation,” says Christian Ludwig, Head of
Retrofit & Upgrade. For smaller engines, this
could mean payback periods as small as 18
months. Even with oil prices on the low end,
the technology is still feasible. The MAN Eco-
Cam is available for S50MC-C engine types,
and will soon be rolled out for the whole midbore
and large-bore engine program.
Earlier closing of the
exhaust valve allows
for around 10%
higher compression
pressure.
3
Illustration: Hokolo 3D
Adjusted
valve opening.
The cam’s profile is
controlled by the adjusted
amount of actuator oil.
This allows for the new flexible
or “virtual” cam profile.
4
With fuel savings between 2-5 g/kW,
the MAN EcoCam could pay for
itself in as little as 18 months, for
smaller engines.
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