MAN to test ammonia engine at research centre

MAN Energy Solutions (MAN) has claimed that full-scale tests of a liquid gas injection ammonia (ME-LGIA)  two-stroke engine at its Research Centre Copenhagen herald the start of a new era in ammonia-fuelled machinery. The new tests follow a twelve-month spell of ammonia-fuelled single cylinder testing.

The engine company’s head of Two-Stroke R&D, Ole Pyndt Hansen, commented: “It’s a significant milestone to be able to step up to full-scale engine testing. We have been busy with the conversion process over the past few months, including ensuring that all safety provisions work according to our requirements. We are now ready for the next phase that will focus on, among other parameters, combustion and emissions, engine-tuning, atomiser testing and control-system verification. This is provisionally set to continue until mid-2025.”

MAN’s head of Two-Stroke Business, Bjarne Foldager, added: “The market is hungry for any news related to our ME-LGIA development and this, the beginning of testing on the world’s first two-stroke, full-scale ammonia engine, is a major milestone. MAN Energy Solutions is proud to be a pioneer within the new segment of ammonia engines but it is equally as important for us to show the world that we are moving forward cautiously in a reliable and safety-first way. Now is the time to develop the technology and we look forward to revealing our progress at the appropriate time.”

MAN has previously said that its aim is to have a commercially available two-stroke ammonia engine ready this year, followed by a retrofit package for installation on board existing vessels in 2025.