Wärtsilä Launches FuelFlex ICU Upgrading System

Wärtsilä launched its FuelFlex Injection Control Unit (ICU) upgrading solution available for retrofitting on vessels with Wärtsilä RT-flex96C-B and RT-flex84T-D two-stroke engines to meet the requirements of operating its RT-flex type two-stroke diesel engines with both residual and low-viscosity marine fuels. According to Wärtsilä, this is particularly relevant in view of the industry’s increasing use of low-sulphur-content fuels in order to be compliant with sulphur emission regulations.

ICUs deliver a precisely controlled quantity of fuel into the cylinder at timed intervals, thereby ensuring efficient combustion at any engine load. The accuracy of the fuel metering and injection timing can be affected by leakages in the piston and valves within the ICU, with the fuel viscosity, pressure differential and clearances having an impact on the amount of leakage. The upgraded Wärtsilä ICU is designed to address such issues.

Earlier generation ICUs were designed for continuous operation with residual fuels, and their long-term use with mainly low-viscosity fuels may result in shorter component life. Wärtsilä said its new FuelFlex ICU features a robust design with more durable materials and other improvement features providing better resistance against leakage, while maintaining the designed service life expectancy of the component.

“The latest FuelFlex ICU is a retrofit solution for customers that will increase both the reliability and environmental sustainability of their two-stroke engines. It also enables more flexible onboard maintenance of the unit, and the validation tests carried out have been very successful,” said Jung Yong Park, Product Manager, Two-Stroke & Specialized Services, Wärtsilä Marine.

The upgraded Wärtsilä FuelFlex ICU supports the burning of low-sulphur fuels in RT-flex two-stroke diesel engines. (Image: Wärtsilä)