HHI-EMD (Hyundai’s Engine Machinery Division) announced the completion of the first shop test for the first of MAN Energy Solution’s six ME-GI engines for Easter Pacific Shipping (EPS)
MAN Energy Solutions said that during testing the engine successfully ran at 100% load in gas mode. The six units are MAN B&W 11G90 ME-GI dual-fuel configurations and operate on LNG and scheduled to be delivered for a series of containerships for Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) between 2020-2022.
Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI) will build each of the neo-Panamax boxships. EPS’ COO, Captain Anil Singh said the company was taking a proactive approach to decarbonisation by choosing LNG as a marine fuel and chose to install the two-stroke ME-GI engine in the newbuilds.
“When powered by LNG, the ME-GI will reduce these vessels’ carbon footprint by significantly lowering CO2, NOx, and SOxemissions. The success of the shop test reinforces our decision, and we look forward to the addition of this environmentally-friendly tonnage to our diverse fleet,” Captain Singh said.
MAN also debuted its Pilot Booster Injection Valve (PBIV), which employs smaller or larger atomising holes, depending on fuel mode, to inject fuel into engines.
PBIV valves are part of MAN Energy’s latest pilot-injection technology, which caters for dual-fuel running by optimising Specific Pilot Oil Consumption (SPOC).
In gas mode, the use of smaller holes reduces pilot-oil consumption to 1.5% which is about half of what was previously required; the diesel mode employs the larger-sized holes.
MAN Energy’s Senior VP, and Head of two-stroke business, Bjarne Foldager said the shop test showed the maturity of the ME-GI technology.
He described it as “running stably at 100% load in gas mode, while the introduction of our PBIV technology drastically cuts pilot-oil consumption by half compared to previous”.
The test also showed capability in handling load changes and maintaining cylinder condition.
MAN Energy said that it has over 200 ME-GI units on its order books or already in service, with references in every major marine segment, while the ME-GI design has logged over 750,000 dual-fuel operating hours in establishing itself as proven technology.
The company said it has confirmed 250+ sales within its entire portfolio dual-fuel engines and is targeting LNG vessels.
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