Igniting Innovation at the Research Centre Copenhagen
In a significant breakthrough, MAN Energy Solutions has successfully tested an engine running on ammonia at its Research Centre Copenhagen. The successful burn took place in a MAN B&W two-stroke 4T50ME-X model engine, offering promising results around pilot-oil quantity and combustion stability. “This marks a major milestone on our road to developing a full-scale two-stroke ammonia marine engine,” commented Gunnar Stiesch, Chief Technical Officer at MAN Energy Solutions.
The team at the RCC has put in extensive groundwork to understand the unique characteristics of ammonia as a marine fuel. The successful combustion is a major stride towards decarbonizing the marine market and achieving MAN Energy Solutions’ goal of bringing big things to zero.
Prioritizing Safety in the Advent of New Energy Solutions
MAN Energy Solutions emphasizes that safety has remained a topmost concern throughout the process. Due to ammonia’s inherent properties, special precautions were implemented, including the construction of a custom ‘cold hall’ to contain any potential leaks. Safeguards from the company’s existing dual-fuel portfolio, such as double-walled piping and system ventilation, were incorporated into the design of the new ammonia engine.
Embracing the Challenge of Pioneering Change
“This is groundbreaking for both our company and the maritime industry,” said Brian Østergaard Sørensen, Vice President and Head of Research & Development, Two-Stroke at MAN Energy Solutions. He acknowledges that there’s much work to be done, with a rigorous testing program ahead that will scrutinize heat release, ignition, safety, pilot-oil energy fraction, NOx, and N2O emissions. The plan is to progress from one cylinder capable of running on ammonia to a full-scale test engine using the fuel by late this year or early in 2024.
Looking Towards a Decarbonized Future
MAN Energy Solutions expects to maintain its delivery timeline for its first ammonia engine, with potential operation on a commercial vessel anticipated around 2026. The industry’s interest has been remarkable, according to Bjarne Foldager, Head of Two-Stroke Business, MAN Energy Solutions. However, he urges the maritime industry to demonstrate a commitment to implementing decarbonization technology.
“MAN Energy Solutions’ expectations for ammonia are positive due to its predicted lower production cost compared to other, relevant e-fuels; we foresee around 27% of fuel used onboard large merchant-marine vessels to be ammonia by 2050,” says Foldager.
Broadening the Scope of Ammonia Energy
The first MAN B&W ammonia engine will be a 60-bore engine, applicable to a variety of vessel types. Thomas S. Hansen, Head of Promotion and Customer Support, MAN Energy Solutions, shares the buzz about the new engine; noting it has drawn attention from essentially all large merchant-marine vessels. The MAN team foresees rapid adoption of ammonia-fueled engines by the end of this decade.
The journey to this discovery began in 2019 with a pre-study and investigation into ammonia combustibility. One short year later, a second test engine was set up with a parallel test engine arrangement at the RCC, with auxiliary systems specified for safety being put in place by 2021. By 2023, ammonia bunkering and service-tank facilities were constructed and tested, setting the stage for this exciting breakthrough.
