High-speed engine developers zero in on methanol and biofuels

Biodiesel approved

Following field tests conducted since 2019, using hydrogenate vegetable oil (HVO) renewable diesel in mtu engines, Rolls-Royce has approved its Series 2000 and Series 4000 mtu marine engines for EN15940 synthetic diesel fuels from the beginning of 2023. These fuels include the sustainable fuels BtL (Biomass to Liquid), HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil/renewable diesel) and PtL (Power to Liquid) such as e-diesel.

“Since 2019, we have been successfully testing the use of HVO with mtu engines in six ferries in our fleet,” said Jim Swindler, general manager for Golden Gate Ferry, based in San Francisco. Over 41,000 operating hours were accumulated during the tests. Four other shipping companies in the US are testing the use of HVO in their mtu engines. HVO is a drop-in fuel, which means that the previous diesel system infrastructure can be used unchanged, and no engine hardware or software modifications are required.

Rolls-Royce said using HVO can result in a reduction in particulate emissions of up to 80%, nitrogen oxide emissions by an average of 8%, and (depending on the manufacturing process and feedstock) CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to fossil diesel.

“We expect its production to be economically competitive and advantageous over other e-fuels”

At SMM, Cummins displayed a full range of information on its high-speed engines, including its in-line, four-stroke X15 diesel engine. Speaking at Riviera Maritime Media’s Power plant and gensets: how new fuels are changing engine design webinar, held prior to SMM 2022 in late August, Cummins director of business development and tug segment leader Eddie Brown said: “HVO is approved for several platforms and a range of products. We have started this journey and have approved HVO on some engines, while still working on others.” Mr Brown expects HVO to be approved for most engines in 2023. 

Mr Brown said methanol will be effective on tugs, workboats and other port and offshore service vessels. “It helps solve the green problem,” he said. “Methanol’s energy density is not as good as diesel but is better than hydrogen and ammonia, and it does not need high-pressure storage tanks.”

Keel-cooled engine

Also on hand at the German trade fair was FPT Industrial, part of IVECO, which displayed several high-speed main and auxiliary engines, including its new keel-cooled C16 1000, which is suitable for towboat and tugs operating in muddy, shallow inland waters. Keel cooling can efficiently transfer heat between the coolant and the water, without the need to circulate salt water in the engine.
The major benefits include protection of the engine from seawater corrosion, avoidance of continuous seawater filter obstruction, and preventing frequent damage to the seawater impeller.
The 16-liter C16 1000 can be used not only for displacement hulls, but also for high-performance fishing boats. The six-cylinder, keel-cooled engine has a maximum power of 599 kW at 2,300 rpm and meets IMO Tier II and EPA Tier 3 regulations.

All FPT Industrial’s common rail marine engines, including keel-cooled configurations, can be fueled by HVO with “no compromise on performance,” said FPT Industrial, noting reductions in CO2 emissions of up to 90% can be achieved, depending on the feedstock used in the HVO production.