The 10-Year “HERCULES” R&D Program on Marine Engines

Abstract

 The HERCULES programme was conceived as a strategic R&D Plan, to develop the future generation of optimally efficient and clean marine diesel powerplants. The project is the outcome of a joint vision by the two major European engine manufacturer Groups, MAN Diesel & Turbo and WARTSILA, which together hold 90% of the world’s marine engine market.
In the year 2003, a common long-term R&D program was put forward of 10 years duration and 100 MioEUR budget, to develop new technologies for marine engines:
· To increase engine efficiency, thus reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.
· To reduce gaseous & particulate emissions.
· To increase engine reliability
In the year 2004, the Integrated project I.P. HERCULES (High Efficiency Engine R&D on Combustion with Ultra Low Emissions for Ships) was funded by the European Union. It was the 1_st phase of the HERCULES programme. The I.P. HERCULES (A) was broad in the coverage of the various R&D topics.
HERCULES - B was the Phase II of the original Programme concept and runs from 2008 to 2012. Based on the results of I.P. HERCULES (A), it further develops the most promising techniques.
The HERCULES-C project (2012-2015) is the Phase III of the HERCULES programme and adopts a combinatory approach for engine processes optimization, system integration, as well as engine reliability and lifetime.
The paper presents an overview of the programme HERCULES.