Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) has completed the first test of its 6UEC35LSJ diesel engine for /stratified water injection.
This engine will be delivered to Onomichi Dockyard Co. as the main engine of a 17,500dwt costal vessel for MOL Drybulk.
The stratified injection system is a technology that injects two different liquids from a single injector. MGO and water are injected to realize lower fuel consumption and NOx reduction simultaneously. In addition, in the shop test running, 100% biofuel with stratified water injection operation, namely carbon neutral operation, was demonstrated and verified for the first time on a commercial engine.
The system is suitable for a wide selection of fuels including LPG and methanol and is the core of the ammonia-fuelled engine that is being developed with financial assistance from the Green Innovation Fund.
The tests indicate that the system results in a reduction in fuel consumption of approximately 5% compared to the same class of conventional engine, and it is suitable for compliance with EEDI phase 3 requirements.
J-ENG says that using MGO as fuel means the fuel oil supply system can be simpler than heavy fuel usage as a fuel heating system is not required. The fuel oil change-over procedure from heavy fuel to MGO when entering port is also not required. MGO is said to have stable properties, and it is expected that the maintenance interval of combustion chamber components can be extended and crew work load reduced.
The system is particularly suited to small and medium sized vessels as it reduces CAPEX and saves on fuel tank space requirements.
J-ENG has orders for three units and is in discussions for more orders.
