Alfa Laval received an order for three units of the FCM LPG low-flashpoint fuel supply system (LFSS) developed with MAN Energy Solutions to be installed on three Japanese LPG carriers
Using the carriers’ LPG cargo as fuel reduces SOx emissions to near zero.
“LPG as fuel is a new application with demonstrated challenges, such as the risk of interruptions and unplanned fuel changes if the filtration is insufficient to remove LPG’s impurities,” said Alfa Laval’s head of marine separation Viktor Friberg.
“The fuel conditioning module (FCM) LPG can be adapted to the layout and routines of any cargo handling system,” said Mr Friberg. “This ensures complete integration and flawless operation – so the LPG carrier experiences the best of both worlds.”
The LFSS order was signed in December 2020 with IMEX Co which builds MAN licensed engines in Japan as a subsidiary company of Hitachi Zosen Corporation. These will be the first ME-LGIP engines delivered for MAN by IMEX.
All three FCM LPG modules will be delivered to IMEX in Q4 2021. After each engine is tested, it will be moved with the FCM LPG system to Sasaki Shipbuilding for installation.
Alfa Laval is supporting a wide variety of fuel choices under the FCM concept. FCM methanol systems are now approaching 100,000 running hours. The company stressed that while LPG is an important fuel in its own right, it represents an important step on the path to ammonia due to the technical similarities between LPG and ammonia operation.
Mr Friberg added “Marine engines that run on ammonia will be available in less than three years, and Alfa Laval will be ready. Due to technical similarities between LPG and ammonia operation, the FCM LPG has been a powerful springboard for our ongoing development of an ammonia fuel supply system.”
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