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Sulzer

14RTA96C

Name: Sulzer 14RTA96C
Brand: Sulzer
SKU: OSE-38715

The Sulzer 14RTA96C is a low‑speed two‑stroke marine diesel engine delivering about 80 MW (108 920 bhp) at 102 rpm, distinguished by its large bore (960 mm) and conventional camshaft design.

80080.0 kW

Power

2,300,000 kg

Weight

Engine Specifications

Cylinders

960 mm

Bore

2500 mm

Stroke

80,080 kW

MCR Power

102.0 rpm

MCR RPM

18.6 bar

MEP

171.0 g/kWh

SFC

2-stroke

Stroke Type

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

Inspector Detail

▸

Designation decoded

Sulzer 14RTA96C – 14-Zylinder-Reihen-Zweitakt-Kreuzkopf-Dieselmotor, Bohrung 960 mm, Hub 2500 mm, zahnradgetriebene Nockenwelle, Baureihe C (Container-Optimierung). ABSOLUTE MAXIMALKONFIGURATION: 14 Zylinder mit 960 mm Bohrung ergeben die potenziell leistungsstärkste jemals konzipierte Motorenkonfiguration mit ca. 80.080 kW (≈108.920 PS) Gesamtleistung.

Background

The 14RTA96C represents the absolute extreme configuration of the world's most powerful diesel engine series. With 14 cylinders at 5720 kW, this engine achieves a theoretical total output of approximately 80,080 kW (~80 MW) – equivalent to the power of a small power plant. Engine length exceeds 27 meters, weight is over 2700 tons. This configuration was designed for the largest container ships and places extreme demands on EVERY aspect of installation, maintenance and inspection. The 14-cylinder length in line creates unprecedented challenges for foundation alignment, chocking, crankshaft straightness and vibration behavior. Gear-driven camshaft over entire length, VIT, Pulse lubrication system, CLU concept. All individual components >8 t, dry dock mandatory for virtually all major maintenance work. Alignment and foundation are the DOMINANT inspection subject.

Calculated metrics

Stroke To Bore Ratio

2.604

Inspector checklist

Logbook reference values

Parameter	Expected	Deviation means
Maximaler Zünddruck (Pmax)	145–160 bar at rated load	With 14 cylinders, cylinder-to-cylinder scatter is particularly critical. >5 bar deviation from mean: check VIT and injector nozzles. Systematic deviation in cylinder groups: analyze turbocharger load distribution. End cylinders (1 and 14) may deviate due to scavenge air distribution.
Exhaust gas temperature per cylinder	340–400 °C at rated load (102 rpm)	With 14 cylinders and 4–5 turbochargers, complex patterns can occur. Single cylinder >30 °C above mean: local problem (nozzle, valve). Cylinder group systematically elevated: turbocharger problem. End cylinders systematically different: scavenge air distribution over >27 m engine length.
Kurbelwellen-Deflexion	±0,05 mm (ALLE 14 Kröpfungen, jede Position kritisch)	THE key instrument for the 14RTA96C. Plot deflection profile across all 14 cranks graphically – curve shape indicates type of foundation deformation (sagging, buckling, torsion). End cylinders and middle cylinders particularly sensitive. ALWAYS measure at identical loading condition. Trend analysis over years is essential.
Kolbenkühlung-Öltemperatur	Eintritt: 45–50 °C / Austritt: max. 70 °C	With 14 cylinders check total flow rate of cooling oil system – distribution to 14 units must be uniform. Elevated outlet temperature at end cylinders can indicate supply bottleneck.
Zylinderschmieröl-Verbrauch	0,8–1,2 g/kWh (Pulse-System)	Total consumption with 14 cylinders at 5720 kW each is substantial. Per-cylinder monitoring essential. Consumption outliers: metering valve, piston ring or liner condition. Systematic under-dosing at end cylinders possible – check supply line length.
Spülluftdruck	3.0–3.8 bar abs. at rated load	With 14 cylinders and >27 m scavenge air box length, pressure gradient over motor length can occur. Compare pressure measurement at different positions (forward, middle, aft). Rate turbocharger performance individually.
Main bearing temperatures (all 15 positions)	<65 °C, uniform across all bearings	Plot temperature profile across all 15 main bearings graphically. Individual bearing elevated: local bearing wear or clearance increase. Systematic pattern: foundation deformation or crankshaft alignment problem. Monitor thrust bearing especially at ~80 MW total power.
Drucklager-Temperatur	<65 °C	At approximately 80 MW driving power, EXTREME propeller thrust forces act on the thrust bearing. Temperature increase >5 °C above normal value: immediate root cause analysis. Shaft alignment and thrust bearing condition are safety-critical at this power class.

Common Failure Modes

Foundation chocking degradation and alignment loss – PRIMARY MODE

Symptoms: ['Progressive Verschlechterung der Deflexionswerte über Monate/Jahre', 'Hauptlager-Temperaturanstieg, insbesondere an Endlagern', 'Vibrationserhöhung, besonders in vertikaler Richtung', 'Sichtbare Risse im Chocking-Material (Epoxidharz)', 'Fundamentbolzen-Vorspannungsverlust']

Causes: Strukturelle Ermüdung der Doppelboden-Konstruktion unter >2700 t Motorgewicht, Thermische Wechselbelastung des Chocking-Materials über >27 m Länge, Hull deformation due to sea state (hogging/sagging) over extreme ship length, Corrosion and material fatigue of foundation plate, With 14 cylinders proportionally more foundation area affected than with 12

Preventive: Deflection measurement AT MINIMUM every six months, preferably quarterly, with complete documentation (draft, trim, loading, water temperature). Chocking at EVERY dockyard visit fully inspect – tap test on all segments. Foundation bolt preload at defined sample positions. Vibration monitoring as permanent installation urgently recommended. With deterioration inform class early.

Torsional and axial vibration problems with 14-cylinder configuration

Symptoms: ['Unusual vibrations at certain speed ranges', 'Damage to coupling elements or intermediate shaft', 'Camshaft gear wear', 'Torsionsdämpfer-Überhitzung', 'Wellenleitung-Risse']

Causes: 14-Zylinder-Konfiguration hat einzigartiges Schwingungsspektrum, Complex natural frequencies due to extreme crankshaft length, Resonanzbedingungen in bestimmten Drehzahlbereichen, Torsionsdämpfer-Kapazität am Limit

Preventive: Torsional vibration analysis for the exact 14-cylinder configuration MUST be on board. Forbidden speed ranges clearly marked at control station and integrated in alarm system. Torsional and axial dampers inspect at every docking. Check silicone oil condition and fill level. Repeat vibration measurement program at commissioning and after every major overhaul.

Camshaft alignment and drive gear wear

Symptoms: ['Steuerzeiten-Drift insbesondere an den vom Antrieb entferntesten Zylindern', 'Metallpartikel in Getriebeöl-Analyse', 'Unusual noises from gearbox or camshaft area', 'Nockenwellenlager-Temperaturerhöhung']

Causes: Camshaft >27 m long – thermal expansion and sagging, Zahnradgetriebe überträgt Kräfte für 14 Zylinder, Fundamentverformung wirkt direkt auf Nockenwellenausrichtung, Material fatigue of gears under extreme load

Preventive: Measure camshaft bearing clearances at ALL positions and track trend. Gear mesh backlash every 8000 operating hours. Lube oil analysis every 500 operating hours for iron and copper wear debris. Vibration monitoring at gearbox housing permanent. Account for thermal expansion of camshaft at operating temperature versus cold condition.

Scavenge air distribution problem with 14-cylinder length

Symptoms: ['Systematic exhaust gas temperature differences between forward and aft cylinders', 'Leistungsunterschiede trotz korrekter Einspritzung', 'Uneven piston ring wear fore vs. aft', 'Abweichende Zünddrücke trotz VIT-Kalibrierung']

Causes: Spülluftkasten >27 m lang – Druckabfall über die Länge, Ungleiche Turbolader-Leistung erzeugt asymmetrische Luftverteilung, Strömungswiderstände in Verbindungskanälen, Ladeluftkühler mit unterschiedlichem Verschmutzungsgrad

Preventive: Measure scavenge air pressure at multiple positions across the engine length. Ensure turbocharger power balance. Perform charge air cooler cleaning on all units simultaneously. Analyze exhaust gas temperature distribution cylinder-wise and group-wise (according to turbocharger assignment).

Piston crown crack formation at extreme power

Symptoms: ['Erhöhte Kolbenkühlöl-Austrittstemperatur einzelner Zylinder', 'Blow-by-Zunahme', 'Verbrennungsgas im Kühlöl detektiert', 'Leistungsabfall']

Causes: Thermal fatigue at 5720 kW/cylinder, Kühlkanal-Verkokung reduziert Wärmeabfuhr, VIT-Fehljustierung verursacht überhöhten Zünddruck, Kolbenkühlöl-Verteilung auf 14 Zylinder ungleichmäßig

Preventive: Monitor piston cooling oil temperatures per cylinder continuously and track trend. Piston crown NDT at every CLU overhaul. Verify cooling oil system for uniform distribution to all 14 cylinders. Maintain strict VIT calibration.

Expert tips

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Related components

C r a n k s h a f t a n d A L L 1 5 m a i n b e a r i n g s , t h r u s t b e a r i n g s ( e x t r e m e t h r u s t f o r c e s a t ~ 8 0 M W ) , c r o s s h e a d g u i d e s ( 1 4 u n i t s ) , 4 – 5 t u r b o c h a r g e r s w i t h l o a d d i s t r i b u t i o n , c h a r g e a i r c o o l e r ( m u l t i p l e u n i t s ) , e x h a u s t g a s b o i l e r , s h a f t l i n e a l i g n m e n t ( e n t i r e p r o p u l s i o n t r a i n l e n g t h ) , f o u n d a t i o n a n d d o u b l e b o t t o m s t r u c t u r e ( > 2 7 m ) , c h o c k i n g o v e r e n t i r e e n g i n e l e n g t h , t o r s i o n a l v i b r a t i o n d a m p e r , a x i a l v i b r a t i o n d a m p e r , c a m s h a f t a n d g e a r t r a i n o v e r > 2 7 m , p u l s e l u b r i c a t i o n s y s t e m ( s u p p l y t o a l l 1 4 c y l i n d e r s ) , V I T s y s t e m , c o n t r o l a i r s y s t e m , p i s t o n c o o l i n g o i l s y s t e m ( d i s t r i b u t i o n t o 1 4 u n i t s ) , s c a v e n g e b l o w e r , f u e l i n j e c t i o n s y s t e m , h y d r a u l i c e x h a u s t v a l v e a c t u a t i o n

Classification & regulatory

Class renewal survey every 5 years with COMPLETE engine inspection of all 14 cylinders. IACS UR M68 torsional vibration certificate MUST exist for the exact 14-cylinder configuration – NOT transferable from 12-cylinder version. MARPOL Annex VI NOx Technical Code – Engine Parameter Check of all 14 cylinders. EEXI compliance with Engine Power Limitation (EPL) particularly relevant at the globally highest single-engine power. Deflection measurement on ALL 14 cranks at every intermediate and renewal survey. Lifting equipment certification for CLU work (>8 t) per SOLAS. Vibration certificates and forbidden speed ranges must be available at the test stand. Foundation structure inspection as part of hull survey during docking.

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

unified from engine model True

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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 #38715 · ✓ still in production