MAN Energy Solutions’ newly introduced two-stroke, Otto-cycle, low-pressure dual-fuel engine has found immediate success, securing orders for 40 units since March, the company reports
The Danish engine designer attributes orders for the new MAN B&W ME-GA engine, particularly in the LNG carrier sector, have been buoyed by an increased focus on methane-slip reduction. The ME-GA engine incorporates MAN’s proprietary exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) solution. EGR is a NOx emissions-reduction technique that enables IMO Tier III-compliance in diesel mode for the ME-GA.
The EGR will enable the ME-GA to reduce specific gas consumption by about 3%, and specific fuel-oil consumption by 5%. It will also significantly reduce methane slip by 30 to 50%, according to MAN Energy Solutions, and improve the stability of the Otto-cycle combustion process. EGR will enable the ME-GA to meet Tier III requirements in both fuel oil and gas modes without additional aftertreatment.
MAN Energy Solutions senior vice president and head of two-stroke business Bjarne Foldager said, “We had high expectations for the ME-GA upon its launch as we recognised a strong desire – primarily from the LNG carrier market – for an alternative to our successful ME-GI engine. Judging alone by the fact that ME-GA has won references from all three major shipyards in South Korea, these expectations have been met and even exceeded.”
MAN Energy Solutions head of promotion and customer support Thomas S Hansen, added, “As industry leaders committed to lowering emissions, the ME-GA comes with our high-pressure EGR as standard, a technology we have refined over the past decade. The increased focus on methane-slip reduction – as well as other operational/technical benefits – has established EGR technologies as the new standard for contemporary LNG-carrier design featuring Otto-cycle engines.”
The company explained the technology underpinning the engine’s success. “As its pre-mixed combustion results in low NOx emissions, the ME-GA engine is inherently Tier II and Tier III compliant in gas-operation mode. EGR enables the significant reduction of methane slip, while simultaneously improving fuel efficiency in both gas and fuel-oil operation. Ultimately, EGR actively reduces emissions and improves efficiency in both Tier II and Tier III.”
MAN Energy Solutions aims to start testing the first, commercial ME-GA design by the end of this year, with the first engine delivery scheduled for early 2022 and expects the ME-GA to find continued success in LNG carriers that are able to use boil-off gas as a source of fuel.
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