MAN ES conducts full-load testing of ammonia dual-fuel engine

German engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions (MAN ES) has tested its ammonia-capable marine engine at 100% load capacity for the first time.

CONCEPT: Ammonia-capable gas carrier. Linkedin of MMMCZCS

Full-load testing involves running an engine at its maximum rated power output to assess its performance, fuel efficiency, emissions and durability under peak operating conditions.

This first test has validated the engine’s ammonia fuel-injection system, with “diesel-pilot amounts recorded according to our targets,” MAN ES said.

Since ammonia has a high auto-ignition temperature, it requires a pilot fuel, such as diesel, to ignite and sustain combustion. Four-stroke ammonia engines may theoretically need up to 30% pilot fuel.

While MAN ES hasn’t specified the exact pilot ratio used in this full-load test, its website states that the company ultimately aims to run the engine with only 5% diesel pilot fuel for ammonia combustion.

The engine also incorporates selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology, which helps reduce NOx emissions by injecting a reducing agent, typically ammonia or urea, that reacts to form nitrogen and water.

Next, MAN ES plans to test performance and emission parameters, including ammonia injection and SCR system verification. However, it has not yet disclosed a timeline for completing the final validation process.

By Konica Bhatt

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