In response to increasing demand for compact and efficient turbocharger technology for marine engines, ABB Turbocharging has launched the new A255-L and A260-L turbochargers optimized for small and medium bore two-stroke diesel and gas engines.

Scaled down from the proven and reliable A100-L and A200-L designs, the new turbocharger models offer a smaller size and best in class performance while retaining key design features incorporating the latest rotor component technologies. Their compact design allows installation flexibility in modern, space-optimized engine rooms.

Delivering the high-power density normally expected from larger turbocharger alternatives, the new A255-L and A260-L offers the marine engine market, turbocharger technology with more power density with a smaller frame size. For ship owners, these new turbochargers deliver high efficiency, lower fuel consumption and emissions. They also offer lower maintenance costs, allowing for optimized total cost of ownership.

Alexandros Karamitsos, head of global sales for Product Line Low-speed Turbocharger, ABB commented: “We believe further focus will be placed on turbocharger efficiency in the future, alongside higher compressor pressure ratio demands, to enable two-stroke engines to reach their full potential. Our A255-L and A260-L turbochargers will support this demand, delivering the highest levels of turbocharger efficiency and power density while enabling small-bore two-stroke engines to achieve lower fuel consumption, and complying with latest emissions regulations.”

Karamitsos continues “The A255-L and A260-L turbochargers are designed to operate on all fuel types and on engines specified for both IMO Tier II or Tier III emissions levels. Similar to other turbocharger products in our A200 series, a full range of matching components will be available to ensure an optimized on-engine specification. Our drydock-to-drydock service concept will also be available, with no need for intermediate turbocharger inspection.”

Ahead of the Global Sulphur Cap entering into force on January 1, 2020 which will enforce a maximum permissible sulphur content of 0.5% for any fuel used on board ships (except for vessels using scrubber technology), an increasing number of ship owners are choosing to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel. LNG can be used on 2-stroke low pressure and higher pressure dual fuel engines.

ABB’s new A255-L and A260-L turbochargers can be used on low pressure dual fuel engines to optimize combustion, improving engine efficiency and allowing for the reduction of GHG emissions. The high turbocharging efficiency provided by the new A255-L and A260-L turbochargers ensures that high air-fuel ratio is maintained in high-load operation, thus reducing the tendency for fast combustion which can adversely affect operation and emissions. The A255-L and A260-L turbochargers also facilitate the utilization of emission abatement technologies for NOx and SOx reduction.

Due to the significant efficiencies achieved, the new A255-L and A260-L turbochargers can reduce the energy efficiency design index (EEDI) of smaller cargo vessels in the size range of 10’000- 40’000 dwt that make use of small and medium bore two-stroke engines. These will typically represent vessels such as bulk carriers, tankers, container feeders and car carriers.