MAN unveils low-pressure addition to MAN B&W dual-fuel portfolio

The MAN B&W ME-GA engine pictured at MAN Energy Solutions’ Research Centre Copenhagen

In a ceremony live-streamed from its Copenhagen Research Center today, MAN Energy Solutions demonstrated its latest low-speed, dual-fuel engine.

Designed for LNG/fuel-oil operation, the new MAN B&W ME-GA type engine, is an Otto-cycle variant of the company’s successful ME-GI engine.

As its pre-mixed combustion results in low NOx emissions, the ME-GA engine is inherently Tier II and Tier III compliant in gas-operation mode. To fully utilize its dual-fuel potential in Tier III areas, the engine is being offered with Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR).

“Our development of new technologies is directly influenced by the close relationships we have with our customers,” said Wayne Jones OBE, Chief Sales Officer, MAN Energy Solutions. “We initiated this ME-GA project in late 2017 when we recognized a strong market desire for a lower-cost alternative to the ME-GI engine, driven primarily by the LNG carrier market. Crucially, this new supplement to our dual-fuel portfolio continues our mission to decarbonize shipping and further the maritime energy transition to sustainable fuels.”

MAN Energy Solutions aims to start testing the first commercial ME-GA design by the end of this year, with the first engine delivery following in early 2022.

“It’s taken a team of 150 colleagues, and hundreds of tests and operational hours, to get the engine to this important stage,” said Bjarne Foldager, Senior Vice President and Head of Two-Stroke Business. “In doing so, we have drawn on the invaluable experience gained from developing our successful ME-GI concept. Similarly, our proprietary EGR system also plays an important role in the ME-GA set-up. Not only does it deliver NOx-compliance, it also helps maintain control of the ignition process and reduces fuel consumption by 3 and 5% in gas and fuel-oil modes, respectively.”

“This is just the latest milestone in the dual-fuel strategy we have followed over the past decade, and further confirms our leadership in this critical marine segment,” continued Foldager. “Our dual-fuel engines continue to act as standard bearers for environmentally friendly, reliable propulsion-technology with their seamless switching between fuels. Ultimately, we expect the ME-GA to become standard among LNG carriers.”

MAN Energy Solutions says that its portfolio of two-stroke, dual-fuel engines has accumulated over 1.6 million operating hours from the 155 engines (6.3 GW) currently in service — all running on clean fuels such as LNG, LPG, ethane and methanol.

With fuel prices and availability currently in flux, MAN Energy Solutions expects the option of retrofitting to dual-fuel engines to increasingly become a necessity.

LOW CAPEX SOLUTION

The high-efficiency MAN B&W ME-GA engine delivers a low CAPEX solution aimed at certain vessel types and applications, such as LNG carriers, that are able to use “boil-off” gas as a source of fuel. It will also be of appeal for smaller vessels where low capital outlay is a priority.

Based on the well-proven MAN B&W dual-fuel design with minimal installation requirements, the MAN B&W ME-GA uses an efficient ignition concept and unique gas-admission system that delivers safe and reliable operation.

Other features of ME-GA include minimal operational costs, simple supply and purging concepts, and low maintenance costs for its fuel-gas supply system.

With Tier III compliance in gas mode, the engine meets all current and upcoming NOx emission regulations with the addition of EGR.

EGR

MAN Energy Solutions announced in November 2020 that it would offer its proprietary EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system as an emissions solution for the ME-GA. EGR is a NOx-emissions-reduction technique that ensures IMO Tier III-compliance in diesel mode for the ME-GA.