Designers at Rybinsk's ODK-Saturn are working on a new power unit based on the E70/8RD dual-fuel engine. It will be able to automatically switch from one type of fuel to another without stopping the engine.
The solution is being prepared for offshore platforms and shelf projects, where even a short-term power outage can lead to serious losses.
The E70/8RD is equipped with a unique combustion chamber. The engine can run on both liquid diesel and natural or associated gas.
Recall that the E70/8RD is a civilian "daughter" of the M70FRU combat engine. Its military counterpart is installed on Project 12322 Zubr-class and Project 12061 Murena-class air-cushion landing ships.
The use of military units in energy is a long-standing practice of ODK. For example, GTD-6RM engines based on D-30KU/KP for Il-76 heavy transport aircraft have accumulated more than 5 million hours in industrial operation.