Wärtsilä supplies duel-fuel engines to LNG tankers

Wärtsilä, a leading marine industry solutions and services provider, is to supply its Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines and propulsion systems for two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier vessels under construction in two Chinese shipyards.

The two orders are similar in scope of supply but have been issued separately. The first is from the Ningbo Xinle Shipbuilding Group Co., Ltd together with its trading partner, Shanghai CSR Hange Shipping Engineering Co., Ltd. The other order has been issued by Cosco (Dalian) shipyards. The ships are being built for two different Chinese owners, the Zhejiang Yuanhe Ocean Shipping Company and Dalian Inteh Group Co., Ltd.

Each vessel will be powered by a Wärtsilä 50DF engine, a controllable pitch propeller (CPP), a gearbox, and related systems. The engines selected to power these vessels will enable them to operate primarily on LNG while retaining the option to switch to conventional marine fuels if necessary. Deliveries of the equipment are due to begin in the summer of 2014, and the ships will be launched approximately 12 months later. The carriers will operate primarily in Chinese waters, and will transport LNG between terminals and to other ships.

Wärtsilä’s DF technology synchronises with the needs of the LNG carriers segment. It offers a high efficiency over the entire output power range, has the advantage of being able to use cheaper and cleaner fuel, and produces lower emission levels that enable compliance with both current and anticipated environmental legislation. Wärtsilä DF engines can also be run at stable low speeds for extended periods of time.

Pioneering technology

Aaron Bresnahan, Vice President Sales, Wärtsilä Ship Power, said: “Wärtsilä has been a pioneer in developing the technology that enables LNG carriers to utilise gas as a fuel, and the technical strength of this technology has provided considerable added value for our customers. Chinese owners are beginning to invest significantly in LNG carriers powered by dual-fuel engines, and these latest orders will add impetus to the market, both in China and globally.”

The Wärtsilä 50DF engine

The Wärtsilä 50DF engine is manufactured in various configurations from a 6-cylinder in-line version to an 18-cylinder version in V-configuration, giving 950 / 975 kW per cylinder and a total maximum mechanical output of 17 100 kW. The engine speed is 500 or 514 rpm with 50 Hz and 60 Hz applications. The maximum thermal efficiency is higher than with any other gas engine.

When operating in gas mode, the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are at least 85% below those specified in the current IMO regulations, and CO2 emissions are some 25% less than those of a conventional marine engine running on diesel fuel. Additionally, the sulphur oxide (SOx) and particle emissions are negligible at almost zero percent.

Adapted from press release by Ted Monroe

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/15102013/w%C3%A4rtsil%C3%A4_to_supply_duel-fuel_engines_to_chinese_lng_tankers/