Lets know the comparison OF RT-FLEX engines, And ME Engines
Metta Naveen Kumar June 05, 2025 0
The MC, RT-flex, and ME series represent evolutionary steps in large marine two-stroke diesel
engine technology, primarily differing in fuel injection, exhaust valve control, and automation
systems. Here's a detailed comparison:
1. MC Engine (Mechanically Controlled)
• Technology: Traditional camshaft-driven mechanical control.
• Fuel Injection:
Camshaft-operated individual fuel pumps.
High-pressure fuel lines to injectors.
• Exhaust Valves: Camshaft-actuated (hydraulically or pneumatically).
• Control System:
Mechanical/hydraulic governor.
Limited electronic oversight (e.g., safety alarms).
Key Features:
• impler construction, robust for HFO.
• Fixed injection timing (adjusted manually).
• Lower initial cost, but less efficient under partial loads.
• Manufacturer: MAN B&W (e.g., MC-C, MC-C2 series).
2. RT-flex Engine (Common-Rail Hydraulic-Electronic)
• Technology: Hydraulic common-rail system + electronic control (pioneered by
Sulzer, now WinGD).
• Fuel Injection:
The common-rail system supplies pressurised fuel to all injectors.
Solenoid valves control injection timing/duration.
• Exhaust Valves:
Hydraulically actuated via common rail, controlled electronically.
• Control System:
Full electronic control (WECS – Wärtsilä Engine Control System).
No camshaft – uses "crank angle" sensors for timing.
Key Features:
• Flexible injection(multiple injections/cycle). Smoother operation, lower emissions
(NOx/soot).
• Optimised for variable loads and slow-steaming.
• Higher complexity but fewer moving parts than MC.
• Manufacturer: WinGD (e.g., RT-flex84T-D, RT-flex96C).
3. ME Engine (Electronically Controlled)
• Technology: Electronic common-rail with hydraulic actuation (MAN's answer to RT-
flex).
• Fuel Injection:
Common-rail fuel supply.
Electronically controlled injectors via FIVA valves(Fuel Injection Valve Actuation).
• Exhaust Valves:
Hydraulically actuated, controlled by electronic signals.
• Control System:
ECS (Engine Control System) with full automation.
Retains a simplified camshaft (for timing reference only).
Key Features:
• Precise injection/exhaust control (adjustable per cylinder).
• Integrated with ME-C/ME-GI systems for fuel flexibility (HFO, LNG, methanol).
• Real-time optimisation for efficiency/emissions.
• Manufacturer: MAN Energy Solutions (e.g., ME-C, ME-GI, ME-LGIP).
Let's see the Comparison Table
Feature MC Engine RT-Flex ME Engine
Mechanical Electronic (no Electronic (minimal
Control core camshaft camshaft) camshaft)
Fuel System
Hydraulic common- Hydraulic common-
Individual pumps rail rail + FIVA
Exhaust valve Cam-driven Hydraulic Hydraulic
activation hydraulic +electronic +electronic
Lower (~15-20% Lowest (Tier III
Emissions Higher Nox/soot reduction) compliant)
Load Flexibility Poor at low loads Excellent Excellent
Advanced
diagnostics,
Simpler but manual Complex hydraulic,
Maintenance adjustment fewer parts predictive
HFO/MDO/LNG/
HFO/MDO/LNG
Fuel Options HFO/MDO (retrofit) methanol/ammonia
Key Differences Explained
1. Elimination of Camshaft:
• MC: Relies entirely on the camshaft.
• RT-flex: Fully camshaft-free (uses crank-angle sensors).
• ME: Retains a camshaft for timing, but no mechanical load.
2. Injection Precision:
• MC: Fixed injection timing.
• RT-flex/ME: Variable timing, multiple injections/cycle (better combustion control).
3. Emissions & Efficiency:
• RT-flex/ME optimises fuel burn, reducing NOx/soot and improving low-load
efficiency by 5–10%.
4. Fuel Flexibility:
• ME-GI/ME-LGIPengines lead in dual-fuel (LNG/methanol) readiness.
Evolution Summary
• MC → ME/RT-flex = Transition from mechanical to digital control.
• RT-flex(WinGD) and ME (MAN) are competitors with similar goals:
• RT-flex uses a hydraulic common-rail.
• ME uses electronic-hydraulic FIVA valves.
Modern Equivalents:
• WinGD: X-DF (dual-fuel) and X-Engines(flexible fuel).
• MAN: ME-GA(ammonia), ME-LGIM(methanol).
Practical Impact
• Operators: ME/RT-flex reduce fuel costs by 3–8% and simplifies Tier III compliance
(via EGR/SCR integration).
• Newbuilds: ME/RT-flex dominate (>90% market share); MC is legacy/retrofit.
• Retrofits: MC engines can be upgraded to ME-B (MAN) or RT-flex Retrofit.
