- New Spark Gas Tech Cuts Methane Emissions by 75% in LNG Engines.
- Wärtsilä 50DF Upgrade Slashes Methane Slip with Spark Gas Conversion.
- Wärtsilä and Chevron Team Up to Cut LNG Methane Emissions.
Technology company Wärtsilä has introduced a novel methane slip reduction solution for its Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel (DF) engines. The technology allows the DF engines to be converted to spark gas (SG) operation, which provides an optimised combustion process. Fuel efficiency is enhanced, and methane emissions are considerably reduced, reports Wärtsilä.
75% Lower Methane Emissions on LNG
During an operation on LNG, the new ‘Spark Gas Conversion for Wärtsilä 50DF’ minimizes methane emissions by as much as 75 per cent over the normal 50DF engine. This is achieved via an electrically controlled pre-combustion chamber valve, which optimizes combustion efficiency. On an average basis, weighted by IMO (E2-cycle), emissions fall to only 1.1 per cent of fuel consumption.
A Step Forward in Marine Emissions Reduction
“The use of LNG and cutting methane emissions is one of the most effective ways to decrease overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from marine engines over the next decade, complementing other efforts to reduce CO2 emissions,” said Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä Marine & Executive Vice President at Wärtsilä Corporation.
“As the shipping industry strives for more sustainable operations, this new solution represents an important milestone on the road to advancing lower-carbon fleets.”
Partnership with Chevron Fuels Innovation
The innovation was made possible due to close cooperation with Chevron Shipping Company. In line with Chevron’s drive to reduce the carbon intensity of its fleet, one engine on six Chevron LNG Carriers will be converted from DF to SG operation.
Available Industry-Wide to LNG Carriers
The Spark Gas Conversion is now accessible to all ships with Wärtsilä 50DF engines employing diesel-electric propulsion—the majority of which are LNG carriers. The technology is optimized for LNG as fuel, which improves energy output per unit of fuel and provides up to 4.6 per cent gas savings in addition to lowered methane emissions.
Building on Three Decades of LNG Expertise
“Wärtsilä has an extensive track-record in reducing methane slip from LNG-fuelled engines, not only as newbuild solutions, but also through retrofitting existing installations,” Holm added. “This latest technology complements our extensive portfolio of solutions aimed at reducing methane emissions from vessels.”
With over 30 years of experience in LNG technology, Wärtsilä continues leading the industry by offering dual-fuel flexibility with DF engines and high-performance single-fuel SG engine options.
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Source: Wärtsilä
