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CAT 3512

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CAT 3512
NameCAT 3512
TypeDiesel engine
ManufacturerCaterpillar Inc.
Model3512
ConfigurationV12
Displacement51.8 L
Power800–2,000 kW
Stroke170 mm
Bore170 mm
FuelDiesel
CoolingLiquid
AspirationTurbocharged, aftercooled

CAT 3512 The CAT 3512 is a V12 diesel engine produced by Caterpillar Inc., used across marine, industrial, and power generation sectors. It is noted for its modular design, broad power band, and compliance options for various emissions regimes, serving as a prime mover for generators, propulsion, and heavy equipment. The engine has been integrated into platforms ranging from offshore vessels to emergency power installations and stationary generator sets.

Design and specifications

The 3512 features a V12 block derived from Caterpillar Caterpillar's family of heavy-duty diesel designs, sharing architecture with models used by Naval Sea Systems Command, Siemens, General Electric, and Rolls-Royce in parallel applications. The engine uses a bore and stroke pairing similar to designs employed by MAN SE and MTU Friedrichshafen, with a displacement that places it among peers like the Wärtsilä 20 series and the Sulzer RTA family. Its turbocharged, aftercooled induction system aligns with technologies promoted by BorgWarner, Honeywell, and Garrett Motion. Control systems often interface with engine management suites from ABB and Schneider Electric, and instrumentation follows standards referenced by Lloyd's Register, American Bureau of Shipping, Det Norske Veritas, and Bureau Veritas. Fuel injection, governor, and monitoring components have been supplied by firms including Bosch, Cummins controls, and Woodward, Inc. governor systems. Emissions calibration has been performed to meet directives akin to those from the Environmental Protection Agency, European Union, and International Maritime Organization.

Variants and configurations

Manufactured in multiple variants, the 3512 family includes configurations optimized for prime power, standby, and propulsion roles similar to variant strategies used by MAN Energy Solutions and MTU. These variants incorporate different turbochargers, intercoolers, and fuel systems comparable to configurations used by Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH and Deutz AG. Generator-set assemblies pair the engine with alternators from Siemens, ABB, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, paralleling approaches by Kohler Co. and Cummins Power Generation. Marine propulsion installations have used gearbox systems resembling products from ZF Friedrichshafen and Twin Disc, Incorporated, and skid-mounted industrial sets reflect practices by Fluor Corporation and Bechtel. Emission Tier and Stage compliant versions mirror regulatory alignment seen in equipment from John Deere, Perkins Engines Company Limited, and Volvo Penta.

Performance and applications

Power outputs span ranges used for applications akin to those of GE Power and Siemens Energy gensets, enabling use in offshore drilling support, platform supply vessel propulsion, and backup power for critical infrastructure such as hospitals and data centers operated by firms like Equinix and Digital Realty. Maritime uses include main and auxiliary propulsion roles aboard vessels registered with authorities like the United States Coast Guard and classified by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai. The 3512’s torque characteristics and thermal profile have been deployed in projects tied to ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell, and BP installations, and in hybridized systems integrated with battery storage solutions developed by Tesla, Inc. partners and ABB microgrid initiatives. Load-following capabilities make it suitable for industrial plants operated by conglomerates such as Siemens AG and General Electric.

Maintenance and overhaul

Maintenance practices align with heavy-duty overhaul standards promulgated by Caterpillar Inc. and third-party service providers including Wärtsilä, MAN Energy Solutions, and MTU. Scheduled inspections reference guidelines similar to those used by American Petroleum Institute and International Organization for Standardization quality regimes adopted by firms like Siemens Gamesa and Schlumberger. Reconditioning parts and remanufacturing services are provided through networks analogous to Cat Reman and aftermarket suppliers such as Bosch Rexroth, SKF, and Timken. Major overhauls often involve cooperation with classification societies like Lloyd's Register and Bureau Veritas to validate return-to-service status for operators including Maersk, CMA CGM, Royal Caribbean Group, and Carnival Corporation.

Production history and operators

Produced at facilities within the United States and international plants similar to those operated by Caterpillar Inc. and its subsidiaries, the 3512 has been sold worldwide to defense contractors, commercial shipowners, utilities, and industrial firms. Operators range from navies and coast guards of nations such as the United States Navy, Royal Navy, and Royal Australian Navy, to commercial end-users including Shell plc, TotalEnergies, and municipal utilities in cities like New York City, London, and Singapore. Logistics and procurement practices reflect standards used by Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and General Dynamics in lifecycle contracting.

Notable installations and uses

The engine has powered gensets in onshore installations at facilities managed by ExxonMobil, Chevron Corporation, and Shell, and has seen marine service aboard vessels operated by companies like Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping Company, and Royal Caribbean International. It has been installed in emergency power systems for hospitals such as Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, and in data center backup for operators similar to Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. Special projects have integrated the engine into hybrid power solutions for offshore wind support vessels contracted by Ørsted and Vattenfall, and in industrial plants run by Siemens Energy and ABB.

Category:Diesel engines