Until now, the TCA55 with a small turbine and compressor wheel has been used for such engines. Though thermodynamically feasible, the TCA55 suffered by its larger size and weight, which was a decisive disadvantage on the cost side. In contrast, the TCA44 is some 40% smaller and lighter. With the predicted development of the Chinese short-sea and coastal operation and the growing demand for small-bore, two-stroke engines, the TCA44 is coming to the market just in time to enhance these applications.

Demand for the TCA44 has been strong and MAN Diesel & Turbo has already taken in a significant number of orders from its two-stroke licensees. The company reports that serial deliveries will start in the second half of 2011.

The TCA44 follows the principal design philosophy of the TCA series, but with some major innovations that facilitate production, installation and maintenance, including:

* 45 steel turbine blades with new airfoil profile
* the fixation of turbine blades by one retaining ring instead of 45 individual fixing-plates
* oil supply and discharge integrated in turbocharger feet as integral part of the bearing casing
* a new compressor-wheel profile
* a simplified IRC design
* a modified silencer


Some of these innovations, such as the turbine blade fixation, will gradually be introduced to the other frame-sizes of the TCA family.

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