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Sulzer

6RTA82T

Name: Sulzer 6RTA82T
Brand: Sulzer
SKU: OSE-38649

The Sulzer 6RTA82T is a low‑speed, six‑cylinder, two‑stroke main engine delivering up to 19 920 kW at 76 rpm, featuring conventional camshaft drive and constant‑pressure turbocharging.

19920.0 kW

Power

Engine Specifications

Cylinders

820 mm

Bore

2646 mm

Stroke

19,920 kW

MCR Power

76.0 rpm

MCR RPM

2-stroke

Stroke Type

Family: Sulzer RTA · Tier: IMO Tier I · Fuel: HFO, MDO

Inspector Detail ✓ verified

▸

Designation decoded

Sulzer RTA82T – 6-cylinder two-stroke crosshead engine with gear-driven camshaft valve drive, 820 mm bore, 2646 mm stroke. T = tanker design, optimized for operation on tankers with specific requirements for reliability, part-load behavior and long sea routes.

Background

The RTA82T was specially developed for tanker applications (VLCC, Suezmax, Aframax). The T suffix denotes a variant with optimized part-load characteristics, adjusted VIT range for typical tanker operating profiles and increased redundancy in safety-critical systems. With 820 mm bore and 2646 mm stroke, this is one of the most powerful engines in the RTA series. The tanker specification takes into account long loading and ballast voyages at different drafts and power requirements. VIT, PLS and CLU are calibrated tanker-specific.

Calculated metrics

Stroke To Bore Ratio

3.23

Mean Effective Pressure Bar

18.6

Inspector checklist

Camshaft and drive gears

Inspect gear flanks for wear and fatigue – at 820 mm bore, highest gear forces
Measure and document camshaft bearing clearance
Examine cam profiles for wear and surface cracks
Inspect drive gear housing for crack formation and oil leakage
Check gear backlash and bearing pattern

Cylinder liners and piston rings

Cylinder liner wear at multiple measurement planes – at 820 mm bore, larger absolute values possible
Measure piston ring gap and side flank clearance
Check CLU lubrication holes for continuity and correct distribution
Investigate running surface condition for cold wear during frequent part-load operation

VIT-System (Tanker-Kalibrierung)

VIT-Kennlinie der T-Version prüfen – optimiert für Tanker-Lastprofil
Check fuel injectors for correct type and opening pressure
Investigate fuel pump wear
Test VIT function at part load especially carefully – tankers frequently operate at part load

Crosshead and running gear

Kreuzkopflager-Spiel messen – größte Bohrung der Baureihe bedingt höchste Gasdruckkräfte
Main bearing clearance and temperature to check
Kolbenstangen-Stopfbuchse auf Leckage prüfen
Pleuelschrauben-Vorspannung kontrollieren
Kurbelwellendurchbiegung messen

Tanker-spezifische Aspekte

Notabstellsysteme auf Funktion prüfen – tanker-sicherheitskritisch
Fernstart-/Stopp-Einrichtungen testen
Check speed governor and overspeed protection
Test redundant lubrication and cooling systems for function

Pulse Lubrication System

PLS-Dosierventile prüfen – Tanker-Profil mit wechselnden Lasten erfordert flexible Dosierung
Check lubricating oil quality and BN value
Lastabhängige Schmiermengenanpassung verifizieren
Zylinderweise Verbrauchsdokumentation führen

Logbook reference values

Parameter	Expected	Deviation means
Exhaust gas temperature per cylinder	330–395 °C at 85 % MCR	Elevated values indicate fuel injection problems, turbocharger fouling or valve leakage
Cylinder liner wear	0,05–0,10 mm/1000 Bh	With tankers operating at frequent part load, note cold wear – check lubrication and load profile
Spülluftdruck	2.8–3.6 bar at MCR	Low values indicate turbocharger fouling or charge air cooler fouling
Spitzendruck (Pmax)	Gemäß T-Testprotokoll, typisch 145–160 bar	T-Version optimiert für gleichmäßige Drücke über Lastbereich – Abweichungen >5 bar zwischen Zylindern untersuchen
Kreuzkopflager-Öltemperatur	55–68 °C	Elevated temperatures require immediate investigation – at 820 mm bore highest bearing load
Turbolader-Drehzahl	According to T-load diagram at respective engine load	Deviations at part load particularly note – tanker operating profile requires good part load efficiency
Kühlwasser-Austrittstemperatur Zylinder	80–90 °C	Irregularities between cylinders check cooling water distribution or lime deposits
PLS-Schmierölverbrauch	0,6–0,9 g/kWh	Consumption fluctuations at varying load profile normal – evaluate trend over longer periods

Common Failure Modes

Cold wear at part load operation

Symptoms: ['Erhöhter Laufbuchsenverschleiß trotz ausreichender Schmierung', 'Mattgraue Lauffläche statt Glanzpolitur', 'Schwefelsäure-Kondensat im Spülluftkasten']

Causes: Long part load periods at tanker ballast voyages, Zylinderwandtemperatur unter Taupunkt, Lubricating oil alkalinity not adapted to fuel sulphur content

Preventive: Raise cooling water temperature at part load, adapt BN value of cylinder oil to sulphur content and perform periodic load increase

Auslassventil-Heißkorrosion

Symptoms: ['Steigende Abgastemperatur am betroffenen Zylinder', 'Kompressionsdruck-Abfall', 'Sichtbare Korrosionsnarben an Ventilsitz']

Causes: Vanadium and sodium in heavy fuel oil corrode valve seat, Unzureichende Ventildrehung, Thermal overload at long full load periods

Preventive: Check valve rotator at every inspection, re-grind valve seats at wear and monitor fuel quality

Nockenwellen-Zahnradermüdung

Symptoms: ['Abnormale Geräusche aus dem Steuerungsgehäuse', 'Metallpartikel in Schmierölfiltern', 'Timing-Abweichungen']

Causes: Highest gear forces in the series through 820 mm bore, Torsional vibration excitation at certain speeds, Materialermüdung

Preventive: Gears every 16,000–20,000 Bh inspect with MT/PT and perform oil analysis trending

Crosshead bearing wear

Symptoms: ['Erhöhte Lagertemperatur', 'Verändertes Laufgeräusch', 'Metallpartikel in Ölanalyse']

Causes: Highest gas pressure forces of the series at 820 mm bore, Lubricating film failure at load changes, Ölverunreinigung

Preventive: Monitor bearing temperatures continuously, ensure lubricating oil cleanliness and measure bearing clearance regularly

Turbocharger efficiency drop at part load

Symptoms: ['Sinking boost pressure at same load', 'Erhöhte Abgastemperaturen', 'Schwarzrauchbildung']

Causes: Tanker-typischer Teillastbetrieb verschlechtert Turbolader-Betriebspunkt, Fouling of compressor and turbine, Labyrinth-Dichtungsverschleiß

Preventive: Clean turbocharger regularly with water and dry flushing, record operating points and plan inspection at efficiency drop

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Related components

Turbocharger (efficiency at part load, bearing, scavenge system) Spülluftkühler (Verschmutzung, Korrosionsschutz, Druckverlust) Exhaust valve spindle, seat and rotating device Kolbenkühlung (Ölfluss, Teleskoprohr, Rücklauftemperatur) Main bearing and crankshaft deflection Torsionsschwingungsdämpfer Emergency shutdown system and safety devices Brennstoffaufbereitungsanlage (Separator, Vorwärmer, Viskositätsregler) Propeller shaft line and stern tube bearing

Classification & regulatory

IACS UR Z10.5 for machinery survey. Tanker-specific requirements according to SOLAS Chapter II-1 and II-2 for engine rooms on tankers. NOx emission parameters according to MARPOL Annex VI and NOx Technical Code. VIT-T calibration documented in EIAPP Technical File. Camshaft and gears are subject to special survey. For tankers, additionally comply with ISM Code-relevant maintenance plans for safety-critical engine components. Oil Record Book and emissions documentation to be kept available for port state control.

Reference content for inspector orientation. Always verify against manufacturer's manual, latest service letters and class society requirements.

Other Cylinder Configurations 50

Components & Design

Component data being added…

Technical Data

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Manuals

operating
Sulzer RTA Operating Manual
Wärtsilä Switzerland (historical Sulzer)
maintenance
Sulzer RTA Maintenance Manual
Wärtsilä Switzerland (historical Sulzer)
spare_parts
Sulzer RTA Spare Parts Catalogue
Wärtsilä Switzerland (historical Sulzer)

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Equipment Model #38649 · ✓ still in production