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Retrofitting a dual-fuel engine is one of the most effective ways to drive greater efficiency and profitability from your fleet. A dual-fuel conversion gives you the fuel flexibility to take advantage of optimal fuel prices; it can make sure your vessel complies with IMO emissions targets and can extend the operational lifetime of your vessel, which means a greater return for your investments.
Diesel to dual-fuel gas conversion
One of the biggest retrofit options
is to convert an existing diesel engine to a dual-fuel gas
engine. This enables you to switch between diesel and gas as necessary, to both
reduce operational costs and take advantage of optimal
fuel prices as they arise.
In addition, using alternative fuels, such as LNG, ethane, LPG, or methanol, mean you can greatly reduce SOx, NOx, CO2, and particulate matter, enabling you to comply with global environmental regulations, secure worldwide port access, and meet your own sustainability targets.
Learn more from our Retrofit Experts
A retrofitted vessel generates 35 times less CO2 emissions compared to a new build vessel.
The project scope of a dual-fuel conversion
The scope includes changes to the main engine, installation of a Fuel Gas Supply System (FGSS), and the installation of bunker tank(s) or integration into an existing gas cargo system. In addition, MAN Energy solutions can also provide turnkey solutions that include the FGSS.
The following explanation is based on an LNG conversion.
Engine conversion
The engine conversion mainly consists of rebuilding existing engine parts to enable the installation of a gas safety system and a fuel injection system.
This includes exchanging the existing cylinder cover and fuel oil pipes, and adding gas injection valves, gas control blocks, and gas chain pipes. Additional parts may also need changing, which is determined by a detailed study of your engine.
FGSS for LNG
As with any dual-fuel engine, to deliver efficient gas injection the conversion requires a complete Fuel Gas Supply System (FGSS). The main function of this, together with a Gas Valve Train (GVT), is to pressurize and vaporize LNG from liquid to gas by increasing the pressure to 300 bar and 45°C, so that it can be injected into the engine.
In recent years, MAN Energy Solutions has developed a Pump and Vaporizer Unit (PVU) that is interlinked with our main engine control system and forms a main part of the FGSS.Bunker tanks or an integration
If the vessel does not already operate with gas as a cargo, bunker tanks for your chosen fuel will be required. This is an important decision and can be one of the project’s largest financial considerations.
Choosing the right bunker tank(s) depends on several factors, such as tank type, size, location, and price. If the vessel you are converting is a gas carrier, you can benefit from an integration to the existing cargo system.The Retrofit Process in Detail
Engine conversion to methanol dual-fuel
The engine conversion mainly consists of rebuilding existing engine parts to enable the installation of a methanol safety system and a methanol fuel injection system.This includes exchanging the existing cylinder cover and fuel oil pipes, and adding methanol injection valves, methanol control blocks, methanol chain pipes and a new engine control system. Additional parts may also need changing, which is determined by a detailed study of your engine.
Performance outcomes
Once converted, your vessel will operate on the same principles as before, with the same operational profile and load responses as with an ME-C engine. The main benefits of converting to a dual-fuel engine are significantly reduced emissions, enhanced operational flexibility, increased sustainability, and greater long-term value.
Which vessel types can be converted?
Any ME-C engine with a bore size of at least 50 can be converted for dual-fuel operation.
It is also important that a parent engine exists, which is a reference engine that has the same specifications as the engine you wish to convert to. The technical specification of the engine is needed to prepare emission calculations and ensure class approvals.
If a parent engine does not already exist, it will have to be built before a conversion can begin. Alternatively, the existing engine output can be aligned to an already existing reference engine.
Read up on our latest news
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Monday, April 15, 2024
Methanol-Fuelled MAN 21/31DF-M GenSet Secures First Propulsion Orde
Breakthrough order of 3 × MAN 21/31DF-M units for chemical tanker propulsion -
Monday, March 25, 2024
Svitzer Targets Methanol-Fuelled MAN 175DF-M Engine for Tug Application
Field-test agreement planned for methanol-fuelled tug with MAN 175D -
Thursday, March 21, 2024
MAN 51/60DF Engine Passes 10 Million Operational Hours Milestone
Latest 100 sales within last two years -
Thursday, December 7, 2023
COSCO Signs Up for Methanol Retrofits
COSCO Group shipyard to retrofit four COSCO Line vessels to dual-fuel ME-LGIM operation; option exists for further nine ships -
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
PrimeServ to Retrofit Maersk Vessels to Enable Methanol Use as Fuel
Agreement signed covering 11 container vessels for conversion to dual-fuel capability; segment leads way in net-zero journey -
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Matson Takes Up Option for ME-GI Retrofit
Increasing trend of shipowners choosing dual-fuel retrofits -
Friday, June 24, 2022
BW LPG Carriers Complete Dual-Fuel Retrofits
15th vessel in series receives ME-LGIP engine conversion -
Friday, June 24, 2022
Matson Signs Contract for ME-GI Retrofit
Deal includes option for second vessel -
Friday, January 28, 2022
Dual-Fuel Retrofits of Low-Speed Engines Key in Push towards Decarbonisation
Dual-fuel retrofits already proven on MAN B&W low-speed engines; potential emission savings of more than 80 million tons CO2 annually when fueled by carbon-neutral fuels. -
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
BW LPG Takes Up Further Option for LPG-Retrofits
Total of 15 LPG carriers now set for ME-LGIP dual-fuel conversions; number of newbuilding LPG carriers ordered with LPG-burning engines set to take off -
Thursday, February 20, 2020
World’s First LPG-Retrofit Order Exercises Option for Four Additional Engines
BW LPG expresses confidence after successful ME-LGIP TAT
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Ready to start?
Are you looking to increase the efficiency, longevity, and profitability of your vessel with a dual-fuel retrofit conversion? Simply contact us and we’ll be in touch to start exploring your options.
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Explore dual-fuel conversions for bulkers and tankers
MAN ExpertTalk: Thursday, April 25th, 2024 | 09:00 – 10:00 am CET
Are you or your organization considering when to convert your bulker or tanker fleet to utilize green fuels? Join our next MAN ExpertTalk where our retrofit experts will delve deep into the intricacies of the bulker and tanker segments, addressing the hesitations that often surround fleet conversion to alternative fuels.
Here's what's in store for you:
- Market drivers shaping the industry
- Crucial legislation updates
- Exploring alternative fuels
- Dual-fuel retrofit engine options
- Project considerations tailored to your needs
If you can’t make it to this session, don’t forget to sign up anyway as you will be provided with the webinar recording afterwards!