Green Maritime Methanol successfully starts engine on 100% methanol

April 2, 2020 |

In the Netherlands, within the Green Maritime Methanol project a new milestone has been achieved, the successful start of the engine test program on 100% methanol. New tests are being planned and two important new partners have joined the consortium recently. 

In January 2020 Pon Power started its engine testing program with a Caterpillar 3508 spark ignited high speed gas engine. With customized cylinder heads and a customized engine control management system the engine operated on 100% methanol as a fuel. The tests were performed successfully and the test setup enables the researchers to study questions with regard to optimization of ignition timing, lubricating requirements, emissions of e.g. CO2 and NOx. In the coming months Pon Power and the Netherlands’ Defense Academy will continue to perform more engine tests on this Caterpillar 3508 engine.
The Netherlands’ Defense Academy (NLDA) is also preparing a test program for their MAN engine (type4L20/27). These tests include methanol injection direct in the cylinder blended with diesel which acts as pilot fuel for igniting the mixture. The tests are planned to include both a mixture stabilized by an emulsifier and a mixture blended mechanically. In the longer run also tests are planned with methanol intake via the air inlet and ignition using diesel injected direct in the cylinder. The behavior of several diesel, methanol and emulsifier compositions is currently being studied in collaboration with TNO Eindhoven and the Netherlands’ Navy Chemical Laboratory in Den Helder. At a later stage tests are planned with methanol intake via the air inlet and ignition using diesel directly injected into the cylinder. During 2020 more engine tests will be executed, providing essential data for several future ship designs and propulsion trains on board.

Category: Fuels

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