MAN Energy Solutions’ licensee, Mitsui E&S Co. Ltd., has successfully tested a 50-bore MAN B&W two-stroke engine up to 100 per cent load at its Tamano facility while running on hydrogen. The company states it is a world-first for the maritime industry.
In collaboration with MAN Energy Solutions, Mitsui converted one of the four cylinders of an MAN B&W ME-GI (gas injection) engine to hydrogen operation. The hydrogen was supplied from a hydrogen gas-supply system that Mitsui developed in 2023.
Stable operation was achieved at various loads and operating conditions, including successful hydrogen combustion up to 100 per cent load. Mitsui also confirmed greenhouse-gas emission reductions of up to 95 per cent, with the remaining fraction originating from the pilot-fuel employed during testing.
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Towards a zero-emission ship
In a press release, Mitsui states: ‘This is the world’s first successful hydrogen combustion test on a large, marine two-stroke engine. In achieving operation along with providing the hydrogen gas-supply system, we are now one step closer to developing a zero-emission ship that uses hydrogen as fuel.’
Bjarne Foldager, Country Manager, Denmark at MAN Energy Solutions, adds: ‘We have worked closely with Mitsui on this research project and are very happy with the results achieved. This proves the advantages and the flexibility of two-stroke engine technology, and means that we are now also prepared for the future, not only for hydrogen derivatives, but also for hydrogen as a fuel.’
‘MAN B&W-branded engines are flexible by nature and designed for an easy retrofit at a later stage to different fuel types,’ states Thomas S. Hansen, head of Sales and Promotion at MAN Energy Solutions. ‘This is an encouraging milestone for hydrogen as a fuel. We will now take some time to evaluate the results and ensure that we are ready to take action if and when the market for hydrogen matures.’
Picture by MAN Energy Solutions.
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