Independent Machine Building, Incessant Keeping Dreams

Li Yaner

Machine builders who assist and witness the accelerated takeoff of the Chinese shipbuilding industry are dream keepers who return from reassembly of China’s new generation independent brand marine diesel engines.

In June of 2018, the new generation low-speed diesel engine 6EX340EF independently developed by Hudong Heavy Machinery Co Ltd had the first market order -- Shanghai Jiupu Marine Logistics Co., Ltd., Shanghai Demian Trade Co., Ltd. and the buyer signed two 6EX340EF diesel engines construction contract. On August 23, Hudong Heavy Machinery announced the shipowner added two 340 main engines order.On that day, Zhou Weizhong, a senior engineer of Hudong Heavy Machinery,received an exclusive interview by the correspondent. He said the longcherished wish of Chinese marine engine people independently building engines has been reached, but the step of keeping the dream has not ceased.

Return of Independent Brand

Shanghai Huangpu River bank was the starting place of last generation Chinese independent brand marine diesel engine. Starting in the 1950s, the then Hudong Shipyard collaborated with Shanghai Jiaotong University and No.711 Institute and jointly developed 34/82 and 43/82 series marine high-power lowspeed engines, and subsequently highpower medium-speed diesel engine 390 series came out smoothly. “These diesel engines are working very well.”Zhou Weizhong said starting in the 1980s, China turned to patent machine manufacturing orientation, Hudong Heavy Machinery began to introduce MAN B&W series low-speed diesel engines in 1980 and R&D and production of independent brand marine diesel engines was in the stagnation stage.

In 1991, Zhou Weizhong graduated from internal combustion engine specialty of Harbin Engineering University and entered the predecessor to Hudong Heavy Machinery -- Hudong Shipyard’s Machine Building Division. As he put it, “I’ve never moved my nest and have been engaged in technical work.”Hudong Heavy Machinery has grown into a leader of Chinese large marine main power diesel engine manufacturing field amidst the market wave and opportunity,its products were exported to the world along with the ship, and low-speed engines accounted or more than 20% of the international market. “The recent three-decade technical introduction has substantially improved Chinese marine diesel engine manufacturing technology and boosted development of the Chinese shipbuilding industry.”Zhou Weizhong said Chinese engine makers are aware of the fact behind the glorious performance that the Chinese shipbuilding industry would be restrained by others if with marine main engine manufacture only but without R&D and design. However, Chinese independent brand marine diesel engine R&D is stagnated for scores of years, international relevant regulations launching and technical upgrading are unceasing, to restart an independent machine is easier saying than doing.

Chinese machine builders received generous support of the State ministries and commissions during the 11th Five-Year Plan period and independent R&D of marine diesel engine was rebooted.“At that time, we still took introduction,digestion, absorption and re-innovation as the principal thing.” According to Zhou Weizhong, Hudong Heavy Machinery undertook two projects --“50000 kW high-power diesel engine development” and “70000 kW highpower diesel engine development” in 2004. Hudong Heavy Machinery started“digital machine building” information system renovation project construction.“The three project laid very good foundation for marine diesel engine R&D and manufacturing technology.”

During the 12th Five-Year Plan period, multiple projects supported by the State ministries and commissions were on the way. Hudong Heavy Machinery undertook four projects established by MIIT -- independent brand small-bore low-speed diesel engine key technology research (340 type), SCR plant R&D,marine high-power diesel engine exhaust heat recycle unit R&D, and independent R&D of high pressure common rail control system -- and the marine mediumspeed diesel engine key technology development and prototype development project (390 type) established by MOST.“To date, all the five projects have been successfully developed and all have reached international advanced level in terms of prototype indexes.” Zhou Weizhong especially mentioned that the SCR unit had obtained massive orders from domestic and international markets,current sales has reached RMB500 million, accumulative sales approached 100 sets, paving the way for domestic marine equipment of domestic marine high-power SCR.

The small-bore low-speed diesel engine 6EX340EF recently marketed is of milestone significance to Chinese machine builders. “At present, we are actively promoting the high-power medium-speed diesel engine MV390 of independent IPRs and we believe some orders in the foreseeable future.” Zhou Weizhong said MV390 is not only applicable to maritime defense equipment and luxury cruise,but also to stationary power station and nuclear power station emergency generator set, etc.

Pain Point of Independent R&D

“The R&D center of high-power marine diesel engine is in Europe, while China is just getting started.” Zhou Weizhong believes that with the progress of diesel engine R&D, the key part issue is getting prominent and it is a major pain point of Chinese independent brand marine diesel engine.

“The complete engine is a platform embracing many key parts.”Zhou Weizhong said China does not have major problems in marine diesel engine overall R&D and manufacture.CSSC Power Research Co., Ltd. And WinGD have built independent R&D system; casting and forging welding technology of structural members,large parts processing and assembly and pre-commissioning technology is also the strong point of main engine manufacturers. However, in core parts --control system, fuel oil system, bearing bush, piston ring and pressurization system still await breakthrough. “China previously invested in this area, but very few was actually mounted onboard, and overseas shipowners seldom use marine engine core parts developed by China.” Zhou Weizhong noted the key restricting Chinese marine diesel engine equipment supply capacity lies in material. “Take bearing bush as an example, China can make some lowend bearing bushes, but cannot produce high-end thin-wall bearing bush which comes out on the market after technical upgrading.” Zhou Weizhong said improvement of marine diesel engine equipment supply capacity can’t do without long-term incessant R&D input.“Domestic shipowners should support application of domestic two-wheel kit,”he added.

The pace of independent machine building has not stopped. Since the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the State has approved the marine low-speed engine project (Phase I) development project,CSSC Power Research Co., Ltd takes the lead, Chongqing Jiangzeng Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd, Chongqing Hongjiang Machinery Co., Ltd., China Shipbuilding Industry Group Co., Ltd. 711 Research Institute, Changzhou Zhongche Diesel Engine Parts Co., Ltd., Chongqing Yuejin Machinery Co., Ltd., Hudong Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd., China Shipping Industry Co., Ltd. are main participants,and they strive to make technical breakthrough. Phase I of the low speed engine project has taken half of the time,Zhou Weizhong disclosed two prototype machines will be kicked off by the end of this year and beginning of next year.“Low-speed engine project will pave the way for China’s next generation marine low-speed engine R&D, and independent equipment supply of China marine lowspeed engine key technology and key parts and engine R&D and product will raise a grade.”