TECHNICAL

BULLETIN

2-Stroke Engine Services RT-174

Issue 3, 28 October 2021

Continuous low load operation

(slow steaming) for
At your convenience *
RTA & RT-flex engines
Information to all Owners and Operators of Affected products
Wärtsilä RT-flex & RTA engines All Wärtsilä RT-flex and RTA engines.

Current situation
Wärtsilä RT-flex and RTA diesel engines
which are operated at continuous low load
(below 60% CMCR).

Solutions
To limit the adverse effects of continuous
low load operation as much as possible, a
series of recommendations are described
in this Technical Bulletin.

Reference
This document is only valid for RT-flex and
RTA engines. For engines of newer
generations, (RT-flex50-D, RT-flex58T-E,
X-type and DF engines), please refer to the
latest issue of the Technical Bulletin
RT-235, named “Continuous low load
operation (slow steaming)”.

Note
This Technical Bulletin supersedes Service
Bulletin RT-174 Issue 2, dated 22.01.2020
entitled “Continuous Low Load Operation
(Slow Steaming)” due to the revision of
application scope, additional chapter for
RT-flex engines.

* At your convenience: Action is necessary or recommended, but can be taken at your convenience, for example
during maintenance.

Wärtsilä Services Switzerland Ltd Tel: +41 52 262 80 10 www.wartsila.com

P.O. Box 414
CH-8401 Winterthur
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

RT-174, Issue 3, Page 2 / 7

Contents
Page
1 Introduction 2
2 Recommendations for Low load operation 3
3 Cylinder cooling water outlet temperature 4
4 Reference to other related documents 5
5 Improve engine performance and running behaviour for Slow Steaming Upgrade Kit
(SSUK) 6
6 Improve engine performance and running behaviour Retrofit Pulse Lubrication
System (RPLS) 6
7 Contacts 7

1 Introduction
NOTE:
This Technical Bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin RT-174 Issue 2
dated 22.01.2020 entitled “Continuous low load operation (slow steaming)”.

Wärtsilä RT-flex and RTA engines are optimised for operation in the load range above
approximately 60% CMCR. Continuous running at lower loads down to 10% CMCR is
possible, but only with special care.

This Technical Bulletin gives additional recommendations on what needs to be observed

when operating the engine continuously at loads lower than the above mentioned 60%
engine load, and it introduces also the “Slow Steaming” upgrade solution.

These recommendations are given, assuming that no components are changed, or

engine tuning is modified, in order to remain within the limitations imposed by
IMO emission regulations. Any further measures require recertification of the engine with
a new or amended Technical File.

© 2021 Wärtsilä Services Switzerland Ltd – All rights reserved – Please read the complete disclaimer at the end of this
document.
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

RT-174, Issue 3, Page 3 / 7

2 Recommendations for Low load operation

The following recommendations must be observed, in order to limit the adverse effects
of continuous low-load operation as much as possible.

1. The basic prerequisites as follows must be fulfilled:

• Trace heating is a must because fuel consumption / flow is reduced at lower
loads compared to high load. The risk of increasing fuel viscosity therefore
higher if trace heating is not working properly.
When operating on HFO, the fuel viscosity at the fuel pump inlet of RT-flex
engines must be in the range 10 to 20 cSt. However, Wärtsilä recommends
maintaining the viscosity at the lower end of the range 13 to 17 cSt, without
exceeding 150 °C at the engine inlet. For further information refer to the latest
Fuel Bulletin https://www.wingd.com/en/documents/w-2s/fuel-lubricants-
water/diesel-fuels-for-wingd-engines.pdf/.
• For Diesel engines the LT cooling water set point to be kept near the upper
limit of the nominal range of 36 °C to minimize effects of possible cold
corrosion.

2. It is recommended to adjust the cylinder lubricating oil feed rate according to

WinGD’s latest guideline as provided by the Lubrication Bulletin
https://www.wingd.com/en/documents/fuel-lubricants-water/lubricants.pdf/ and the
relevant OM.
Regular piston underside inspections are recommended to monitor piston running
condition.

3. The exhaust gas temperature at cylinders’ outlets should be kept above 250 °C to
avoid cold corrosion, fouling of exhaust gas receiver and turbocharger nozzle ring. If
the exhaust gas temperature drops below this value, the engine power should be
increased if feasible.

4. If the exhaust gas temperature gets too high (>450 °C at cylinders’ outlets) the
auxiliary blower may be switched to “continuous running”. However, it must be noted
that not all auxiliary blowers and circuit breakers may be suitable for continuous
operation at electrical loads above nominal current. This shall be checked with the
respective maker.

5. The repeated switching on/off of auxiliary blowers must be avoided. If necessary,

the auxiliary blowers’ control must be switched to “manual operation” or operation in
this load range must be avoided.

6. Inspect and lubricate the bearings of the auxiliary blowers more frequently if
considered necessary due to more frequent operation of the blower. The flaps in the
scavenging air receiver shall be inspected more frequently.

© 2021 Wärtsilä Services Switzerland Ltd – All rights reserved – Please read the complete disclaimer at the end of this
document.
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

RT-174, Issue 3, Page 4 / 7

7. A concern during continuous low load operation is the accumulation of unburned

fuel and lubricating oil in the exhaust manifold, as such deposits can ignite when the
engine load is increased again. This may result in severe damage to the turbocharger
due to over-speeding. Therefore, it should be considered to periodically (twice a week)
increase the engine load as high as possible (above 70% if not restricted by a power
limitation) for minimum 1 hour to burn-off accumulated carbon deposits. The load up
must be done according to load up programme to avoid adverse piston running
conditions due to carbon deposits that have built up on the top land of the piston head
and to avoid possible exhaust manifold fire.
For engines equipped with a turbocharger cut-off solution, please refer to chapter 5 for
additional information.

8. Exhaust manifold and other related components (scavenge air receiver, exhaust
gas valves, turbocharger grid, etc.) need more frequent inspections and possible
cleaning. Depending on results of inspections, the regular engine load-up intervals
might be adapted if no excessive deposit accumulations is detected.

9. An economiser with closely-spaced fins may also require more frequent soot
blowing.

3 Cylinder cooling water outlet temperature

In order to improve the piston running performance and to reduce the risk of cold
corrosion in cylinder liners, while the engine is continuously running at low loads, the
temperature range of the cylinder cooling water outlet is to be kept within the normal
design range as mentioned in the below Tables:

Table 1: RT-flex engines

Engine type Outlet temperature Alarm Slowdown

Setpoint: 90 °C 97 °C
RT-flex engines Acceptable deviation: 60 seconds delay in
95 °C
steady state: ±2 °C Engine Safety System
transient: ±4 °C (ESS)

© 2021 Wärtsilä Services Switzerland Ltd – All rights reserved – Please read the complete disclaimer at the end of this
document.
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

RT-174, Issue 3, Page 5 / 7

ATTENTION:
The temperature settings mentioned in Table 2 are valid for all RTA engines with the
exception of RTA82C, RTA82T, RTA84C, RTA84T, RTA84T-B, RTA84T-D, RTA96C
and RTA96C-B. For these engines see Table on the next page.

Table 2: RTA engines

Engine type Outlet temperature Alarm Slowdown

95°C
RTA engines 80°C to 90°C 90 °C 60 seconds delay in
Engine Safety System (ESS)

Table 3: RTA engines exceptions

Engine type Outlet temperature Alarm Slowdown

RTA82C
RTA82T
RTA84C
RTA84T
85°C to 95°C 95 °C 97°C
RTA84T-B
RTA84T-D 60 seconds delay in Engine
RTA96C Safety System (ESS)
RTA96C-B

4 Reference to other related documents

Table 4

Publication Title Topic

Technical Bulletin Cylinder lubrication Different topics and recommendations in
RT-161 combination with Lubricants.
Technical Bulletin Lubricating oils Recommendations about lubricating oils.
RT-244 The document refers to the WinGD
document “Lubricants for WinGD
engines”.
Technical Bulletin Diesel engine fuels Recommendations about diesel engine
RT-245 fuels. The document refers to the WinGD
document “Lubricants for WinGD
engines”.
Technical Bulletin Cooling water and Recommendations about cooling water
RT-246 additives and additives. The document refers to the
WinGD document “Lubricants for WinGD
engines”.

© 2021 Wärtsilä Services Switzerland Ltd – All rights reserved – Please read the complete disclaimer at the end of this
document.
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

RT-174, Issue 3, Page 6 / 7

5 Improve engine performance and running behaviour for Slow Steaming

Upgrade Kit (SSUK)

In order to further optimize the engine operation at low load, Wärtsilä has developed A
Slow Steaming Upgrade Kit that involves cutting out of a turbocharger. This increases
the scavenge air delivery at low load for better combustion and more optimum
temperatures of engine components.

Wärtsilä Services Switzerland Ltd offers the following Slow Steaming Upgrade Kit
(SSUK) solutions:
• Permanent blinding
• Removable blinding
• Butterfly valves
o Pneumatic local control
o Full Automation

With the Slow Steaming Upgrade Kit SSUK the following is achieved:
• With the increased scavenge air pressure the auxiliary blower on/off threshold is at
lower loads compared to engines with all turbochargers operative.
• A considerable reduction in BSFC with cut out turbocharger and increased scavenge
air pressure in the low-load range.
• Due to better combustion at lower loads the risk of turbocharger and economizer
fouling is decreased and the formation of deposits due to unburnt fuel is reduced.

The time interval between engine load-up to burn off carbon deposits can be increased
based on inspection results. In order to burn off the deposits a high enough exhaust gas
temperature at turbine inlet is needed. The engine needs to be loaded up until the
exhaust gas temperature at turbine inlet corresponds to 380°C. If this temperature is not
possible to reach, the engine needs to be loaded up to the maximum load that can be
reached with one turbocharger cut-out (See Technical Bulletin RT-162, Operational limits
with turbocharger cut out).

6 Improve engine performance and running behaviour Retrofit Pulse

Lubrication System (RPLS)
NOTE:
In order to get a specific evaluation of how the SSUK and the RPLS can be installed on
your ship or fleet, kindly ask your usual local Wärtsilä network contact. Likewise,
estimated calculations for fuel and cylinder lube oil savings can be provided, in order to
determine investment pay-back times.

In combination with the above described SSUK, Wärtsilä recommends the installation of
electronically controlled cylinder lubrication.

© 2021 Wärtsilä Services Switzerland Ltd – All rights reserved – Please read the complete disclaimer at the end of this
document.
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

RT-174, Issue 3, Page 7 / 7

The Retrofit Pulse Lubrication System provides:

• Optimal lubrication due to the precisely timed feeding of oil into the piston ring pack
• Savings in lubricating oil

This well-proven concept can be installed on all Wärtsilä two-stroke engines.

7 Contacts
7.1 How to contact Wärtsilä
For questions about the content of this Technical Bulletin, or if you need Wärtsilä
assistance, services, spare parts and/or tools, please contact your nearest Wärtsilä
representative.
If you do not have the contact details at hand, please follow the link:
www.wartsila.com/contact

7.2 Contact details for emergency issues

For emergency issues, please use the following phone number:
24hrs phone number: +41 52 262 80 10.

© 2021 Wärtsilä Services Switzerland Ltd – All rights reserved

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makes no representation, warranty (express or implied) in this publication and assumes no responsibility for the correctness, error s or
omissions for information contained herein. Information in this publication is subject to change without notice. Wärtsilä does not assume any
liability for the consequences of the owner’s/operator’s actions, inactions, and/or decisions made or based upon the information provided
herein.
Unless otherwise expressly set forth, no recommendation contained in this document or any of its appendices is to be construed as provided
due to a defect of the product, but merely as an improvement of the product and/or the maintenance procedures relating theret o. Any actions
by the owner/operator as a result of the recommendations are not covered under any warranty provided by Wärtsilä and such actions will
thus be at the owners/operators own cost and expense.
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