- MAN Energy Solutions is developing ‘IMOKAT II,’ an oxidation catalyst to notably reduce methane slip in four-stroke engines.
- Funded by the German Federal Ministry, this project aims for a 70% methane emissions reduction at full load.
- Unlike its predecessor IMOKAT I, this prototype focuses on testing catalytic materials for field application, targeting vessel testing by Q1 2024.
Catalyst Innovation
Hans-Philipp Walther, Head of Exhaust Gas Aftertreatment at MAN Energy Solutions, highlights IMOKAT II’s cost-effective approach in methane reduction.
This robust and space-efficient solution aims to sidestep costly precious-metal catalysts prone to poisoning. Its pioneering field test aboard a vessel marks a significant milestone, as no similar commercially available technology exists in the market.
Critical Design
The chosen Sulphur-resistant catalyst, devoid of precious metals, is a crucial selection to account for Sulphur traces present in pilot- and lube-oils, even during gas operation.
MAN Energy Solutions emphasizes the necessity of pre-turbocharger integration due to exhaust-gas pressure and temperature, indicating its complexity compared to post-turbocharger SCR installations.
Integration Complexity
Walther added:
“The greatest challenge to developing this catalyst is reaching the highest conversion rates since engine and catalyst must be optimized together. Another significant hurdle is optimizing the dynamic behavior of the engine with a catalyst applied, especially if the catalyst is cold. Therefore, a bypass flap and additional software functions will be necessary. However, as part of MAN Energy Solutions’ decarbonization strategy, we are confident we will overcome these challenges and that the catalyst will become available for retrofit and newbuild applications in due course.”
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Source: MAN Energy Solution
