Mitsui completes world-first hydrogen test on two-stroke engine

Mitsui E&S Co Ltd, a MAN Energy Solutions’ licensee, has carried out successful tests of a 50-bore MAN B&W two-stroke engine, running on hydrogen at up to 100% load, at its Tamano facility. The companies claim that the test is a world-first. 

Working together, the partners converted one of the four cylinders of a MAN B&W ME-GI (gas injection) engine to operate on hydrogen supplied from a new system established by the Japanese company last year.

Stable operation was achieved at various loads and operating conditions, the companies said, including successful hydrogen combustion up to 100% load. Mitsui confirmed greenhouse gas emission cuts of up to 95%, with the balance created from the pilot fuel used during tests.

Mitsui said in a statement: “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.”

MAN Energy Solutions’ chief technical officer, Gunnar Stiesch, said that the project was one of several activities relating to hydrogen that the engine firm is currently working on in both the two- and four-stroke segments. He congratulated Mitsui for achieving the world-first.

Bjarne Foldager, country manager, Denmark, said: “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.”

The engine firm’s head of Sales and Promotion, Thomas S. Hansen, commented: “MAN B&W-branded engines are flexible by nature and designed for an easy retrofit at a later stage to different fuel types. 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.”