HHI conducts full-load ethanol operation

South Korea-based HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has successfully conducted full-load ethanol operations on its four-stroke dual-fuel engine.

IMAGE: HHI's methanol dual-fuel engine. HHI

The combustion and operational characteristic tests applying ethanol fuel was conducted on a methanol dual-fuel engine, HHI said.

The test has successfully verified startability, combustion stability, power output stability, and exhaust gas characteristics, “while maintaining the existing methanol engine hardware as much as possible,” HHI said.

“As a result, it confirmed that stable operation at all load points is possible,” the company added.

The test was conducted by HHI’s subsidiary HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Engine & Machinery (HHI – EMD).

Ethanol shares several chemical and physical properties with methanol, including ease of handling under standard atmospheric conditions.

They are both liquid fuels with low flash points of 11-12°C for methanol and 13°C for ethanol.

These characteristics position ethanol as a viable low-carbon fuel option. Interest in ethanol is gaining traction among shipowners, as it offers flexibility in navigating regional methanol availability and mitigating price volatility, HHI said.

Notably, their low cetane numbers make them harder to ignite and burn than fossil fuels. This means that combustion engines powered by methanol or ethanol will require a small amount of pilot fuel, such as diesel, for ignition.

HHI plans to conduct additional durability tests "reflecting classification society requirements and commercial operating conditions."

By Aparupa Mazumder

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