JANUARY 31, 2013 — ABB Turbocharging is calling its new A200-L generation of single-stage turbochargers for low-speed two-stroke engines "a quantum leap in the technological development of turbochargers."

The A200-L's compressor stage has been optimized to enable significantly more additional volume flow, up to 30% more in comparison with previous models. The increase, says ABB, is of an order never before seen in the turbocharging industry.

"Our latest technical findings from development are very promising," said David Ruch, who has been heading up the technological development of the A200-L, "This model represents a real departure from the past model because it's allowing us to ensure greater volume flow without making the concessions on efficiency that we used to have to make."

Michael Lok, General Manager Low Speed Segment, adds, "We are even looking at a model that potentially makes no compromises on the three key variables – that is, efficiency, pressure ratio, and volume flow – used to measure performance in a turbocharger. No one's ever been able to do that, at least as far as I know. That's a puzzle that engineers have had to wrestle with for as long as there have been turbochargers. If we're able to achieve that with the A200-L, we will have made a hugely important contribution to the turbocharging industry as a whole."

In effect, the power density of the turbocharger compared to other models is significantly higher. The turbocharger is often one of the heavier components to service on a ship, so the A200-L's lighter design also makes it much easier to maintain.

The A200-L's additional volume flow means a more compact frame that makes it possible to use a smaller turbocharger on a wide range of two-stroke engines. For customers, says ABB, that translates into lower weight and more space, which in turn have a positive impact on the bottom line in the form of lower service costs, a lower first cost and a lower total cost of ownership. And since less material is used to make the A200-L, the impact to the environment is also reduced.

"The savings in service costs alone amount to at least 25% in many models, and in some cases even more," says Arie Smits, Senior General Manager Global Turbocharging Projects.

The company has already sold its first commissions and is currently in production. The first turbochargers are set to be tested on engines at the beginning of May.

"This technology is going to change what it means to be, and stay, competitive in the turbocharging industry," said Axel Kettmann, Senior Vice President. "The A200-L series is much more efficient and so much more cost-efficient than what we have seen before. Companies who choose not to develop their products in a similar direction will lose business, because in this market, customers are focusing on what will save money, particularly in the long-term."