POSITION OF SLOW-SPEED DIESELS RELATIVE TO RECENT TRENDS IN SHIPBUILDING

The Author, of Burmeister & Wain, first evaluates past and present trends in an attempt to forecast the future demand for the various types of ship and hence the demand for propulsion power. This examination is made in some detail, in relation both to engine types and ship types, and it is concluded, inter alia, that the steam turbine may be considered for LNG carriers, and that Diesel propulsion will be chosen for nearly all other merchant ships, in the coming years. The choice between medium-speed and low-speed Diesels is probably a question of experience, rumours, personal relations, and intangibles such as attitudes of engineers, owners, or shipbuilders. The design of the B. & W. K-GF engine, and the development of the L-GF engine (the long-stroke version of the K-GF), are then discussed. The first L-GF engine is expected to start test-bed running shortly. The space and other requirements for the installation of the K-GF and L-GF engines, and the use of engine-models in designing engine-room layout, are discussed. The application of models in designing the layout of an 8,000-bhp (150 rpm) 6L55GF engine-installation in an 18,000-dwt 15-knot multi-purpose cargo-ship is described. The paper includes lists of principal particulars of the 670, 800, and 900 mm bore engines in both the K-GF and L-GF ranges.