New offshore package with combustion shaping

Energyst, the specialist rental company for heating, cooling and power equipment formed by Caterpillar and 10 of its dealers in Europe, has developed a new packaged unit specifically for the offshore industry. The ‘state of the art’ offshore power modules are built to NORSOK Z-015 offshore specifications and are suitable for safe zone use on offshore oil rigs. The NORSOK Z-015 standard is the most stringent guideline used in the European offshore industry, which is why Energyst chose to adopt it as the basis for its design.The equipment packages are also DNV 2.7-1 certified via Lloyd’s class society.

The modules are built in a standard 20 foot ISO container and are ISO 9001:2000 quality certified. A Caterpillar C32 high-speed diesel generator set rated 1250 kVA at 60 Hz provides the power. The units are dual frequency and incorporate Cat’s ACERT emissions contro[ technology. Using advanced combustion technology to optimise performance, these engines meet today’s most stringent emissions reduction standards.

The Acert system is based on combining proven systems with innovative technologies to precisely shape the combustion process. It is the result of more than $500 million spent on research and development, producing more than 250 patents. The engines are compliant with the USA’s EPA Tier 3 emissions regulations governing off-road machines, which took effect on 1 January 2005 for engines of 300 to 750 hp.

Caterpillar originally introduced the technology to meet EPA 2004 regulations for on-highway trucks. It represents a series of evolutionary and incremental engine control improvements aimed mainly at finding the optimum balance of engine performance, fuel efficiency and engine durability that would also meet current and future emissions standards. For example: the fuel system allows for multiple injections each combustion cycle. Small amounts of fuel are injected at precise times to achieve the combined goals of fuel economy and lower emissions.

An advanced air system provides more cool air in the combustion chamber. A wastegate turbocharger provides excellent low-end response. In addition, crossflow cylinder heads provide a direct path of air to the engine.

Caterpillar engineers worked with approximately 125 variables, leading to over 10 million possible combustion combinations, in their attempt to find the optimum balance.