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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has developed the MET83MAG, a generator-integrated hybrid turbocharger for marine propulsion diesel engines which utilizes engine exhaust gas not only to drive the turbocharger but also to generate electricity.

According to MHI, the MET83MAG is capable of supplying all electric power necessary during normal sea-going operations. At the same time, the hybrid turbocharger is also said to enable reductions in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The hybrid turbocharger, which was commercialized in cooperation with Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), Universal Shipbuilding Corporation and Hitachi Zosen Corporation, will be installed and tested on a bulk carrier that is slated to go into service in 2011.

The event will mark the world's first on-board testing of a hybrid turbocharger using a commercial ship in actual operation. In celebration of the completion of the first MET83MAG unit, a presentation ceremony for the hybrid turbocharger took place at MHI's Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works.

The generator of the MET83MAG, which is capable of generating a maximum power output of 754 kilowatts (kW) at an engine speed of 9,500 revolutions per minute (rpm), can also substitute the function of auxiliary blower from its use as an electric motor to enhance the performance of the turbocharger when engine speed is not fast enough. For the actual on-board testing, a hybrid turbocharger will be installed on a capesize bulk carrier currently under construction by Universal Shipbuilding for NYK Line.

The MET83MAG hybrid turbocharger is one of the waste heat recovery systems that utilize exhaust gas from the engine and is compact due to its built-in generator. The new turbocharger can accommodate demand for replacement of existing turbochargers.

Previously MHI has developed and successfully commercialized the waste heat recovery system MERS (Mitsubishi Energy Recovery System), which enables a 10 percent reduction in fuel costs by generating electric power through combination of an exhaust-gas-driven turbine and a steam turbine, for vessels requiring large electric power, such as container carriers and crude oil carriers.

"Leveraging its expertise and strength derived from providing various equipments for effective energy utilization in marine applications, going forward MHI will continue to develop innovative products and systems," MHI said in a statement.