Hercules Beta is the second phase of a project sponsored by the EU and Switzerland aimed, among other things, at finding technological solutions for compliance with future emissions legislation. The project began in September 2008. The leading companies, as on the previous Hercules Alpha project, are the two major large-bore engine manufacturers MAN Diesel & Turbo and Wärtsilä. Together with universities and companies from the shipping sector as well as mechanical and plant construction firms, the partners are pursuing various goals:

• The development of new and use of existing technologies to significantly reduce emissions in marine engines (nitric oxides, sulphur oxides, carbon dioxide)
• Reduction in fuel consumption
• A reduction in the engines’ lifecycle costs

The working groups in the Hercules Beta project are following on from the results of the Hercules Alpha project from 2007. Individually, they are tackling the following projects:

• Maximum engine operating pressure
• Optimum combustion processes
• Model verification
• Turbochargers
• Emissions reduction through exhaust gas recirculation
• Recovery of waste heat
• Tribology and materials
• Electronic control systems
 
On the basis of the results from the Hercules Alpha project, MAN Diesel & Turbo has already developed ideas that will evolve into product innovations. Hercules Beta will leave behind long-lasting impacts on development projects.