MHI-MME’s new compact turbochargers get approval from MAN, WinGD

Developed to provide increased air flow to support improved combustion in a smaller footprint, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Marine Machinery & Equipment’s MET-MBII Series axial turbochargers have been approved for use by two of the world’s leading two-stroke engine designers.

In December 2020, MAN Energy Solutions SE approved the new turbochargers for use with its two-stroke Diesel-cycle, high-pressure engines.

In March 2021, Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd. (WinGD) granted approval to the MET-MBII Series turbochargers for use with all its Otto-cycle, two-stroke, low-pressure dual-fuel (X-DF) engines. Approval for installation with X-DF engines was based on favourable results obtained during performance tests carried out in mid-January, using a model 6X72DF test engine at IHI Power Systems Co, Ltd’s Aioi Plant in Japan. The MET-MBII Series models are listed in WinGD’s “General Technical Data for WinGD 2-Stroke Engines” turbocharger selection programme.

Previously, WinGD had approved the use of the new turbochargers in diesel engines.

As a result of the approvals, both MAN Energy Solutions and WinGD will share information on MET-MBII Series models through their turbocharger selection programmes.

As of the end of March, MHI-MME reported a total of 10 MET-MBII Series turbochargers had been delivered (eight MET33MBII units in Japan and two MET53MBII in China).

Developed in response to environmental regulations by the Japanese turbocharger manufacturer, the new compact series is expected to have lower capex and opex. MHI-MME says that strengths of the MET-MBII Series include reduced initial costs through downsizing, lower weight (enhanced mountability) and reduced maintenance costs.”

The MET-MBII series is a new type of axial turbocharger for achieving an increase in air-flow volume while maintaining the same standard of maintenance and reliability as MHI’s MET-MB turbocharger. A new compressor wheel with the optimum number of blades and blade angle distribution was developed for the MET-MBII series, aiming to increase capacity while maintaining high performance. The turbine-blade throat distribution was also optimised to develop a new turbine with higher exhaust gas pressure recovery performance in the gas outlet casing.

“MET-MBII Series strengths include the reduction of initial costs, lower weight, and reduced maintenance costs”

Meanwhile, the casing, a component excluding the silencer, is the same as that used in the conventional MET-MB series. MHI said the MET-MBII turbocharger provides 16% larger air flow volume compared to the older series.

China an important market

As the second-largest shipbuilder in the world (as of June 2021), China remains an important market for MHI-MME and the MET turbocharger series – backed up by recent reports from two leading engine builders, one in South Korea and one in China.

One is long-time licensee South Korea’s HSD Engine Co. In September 2020, MHI-MME celebrated the 10^th anniversary of its licencing agreement with HSD Engine, under which it manufactures MET turbochargers. Based in Changwon, HSD Engine has been a marine engine builder since 1983, and its client base extends outside of South Korea, including delivering engines and turbochargers to leading Chinese shipyards.

In 2020, HSD Engine supplied an engine and a MET turbocharger, manufactured under the licence agreement, for installation into what was then the world’s largest container ship, with a capacity of 24,000 TEU.