Currently, our portfolio consists of over 1,000 dual-fuel engines. Out of these, 308 engines are already in service. In terms of order statistics from last year (2022), dual-fuel engines accounted for 63% of the total order income, as reported by Safety4Sea.
LPG as a marine fuel
In September 2018, we unveiled our latest innovation at our research facilities in Copenhagen. It was a public demonstration of our 50-poll engine, named after its cylinder diameter of 50 centimetres. Since then, our engine has gained significant momentum. While there are some CO2 emissions reductions with LPG, we acknowledge that it is just one type of fuel from our perspective.
MAN B&W ME-LGIP Engine
Our engine adheres to a standard that distinguishes it from conventional diesel engines, LNG fuel engines, methanol engines, or LPG engines. The differentiating factor lies in the yellow part, while the engines themselves remain identical apart from the fuel equipment.
How do we build up the engines?
Our engine features a gas block that controls the gas fuel or gas injection for each cylinder, ensuring consistency across all cylinder configurations. The control system includes the ELWI valve for admitting gas to the cylinder and the injection control valve for precise timing. Hydraulic controls are facilitated by a hydraulic accumulator, while a double wall pipe supply and return system ensure safety. The engine room is designed with a double-ventilated pipe system, eliminating exposed gas pipes. LPG injection requires a pilot injection of a small amount of diesel or heavy fuel, facilitated by a conventional fuel valve present in all our engines.
The second engine variant, known as FBIV-P, utilizes a fuel booster injection valve to deliver LPG into the combustion chamber. While the supply pressure is slightly over 50 bar, the injection pressure from the FBIV reaches around 600 to 700 bar within the combustion chamber. Most of our dual-fuel engines incorporate a conventional fuel valve to introduce a small amount of diesel for ignition before the dual fuel injection of LPG, LNG, methanol, or other fuels occurs milliseconds later. The engine room and the red pipes in the diagram represent the below-deck engine space and the double-wall pipe system, respectively. Retrofitting options exist for our platforms to convert them into LPG engines, with the exception of the ME-GA engine, which has distinct differences in cylinder liners and covers. Similarly, other engines can be converted into methanol or other fuel types.
LPIG – New technology
The introduction of LGIP (LPG Injection into the Powerplant) technology has brought forth new challenges for us. The atomizers, responsible for injecting LPG fuel into the combustion chamber, face issues with blockages due to the hardness of the material, calcium oxide. However, we have implemented a different approach to address this problem. Despite these challenges, we are satisfied with the progress we have made in finding solutions for LGIP engines. We have identified the issues and are gradually incorporating these new technologies into existing engines and future deliveries.
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Source: Safety4Sea
