WinGD achieves ‘world first’ with ammonia-fuelled two-stroke
WinGD's X-DF-A has received Type Approval and completed its Factory Acceptance Testing
(Source: WinGD)
Switzerland’s WinGD has completed test programmes for its ammonia-fuelled two-stroke engine, with Type Approval and Factory Acceptance Tests successfully undertaken at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Engine & Machinery’s plant in South Korea. The tests were overseen by Lloyd’s Register, as well as representatives from other class societies, under the supervision of Exmar.
The programme tested an X52DF-A-1.0 engine intended for a 46,000-m3 LPG/ammonia carrier on order for Exmar. A series of vessels are set to become the first ammonia-fuelled gas carriers to enter commercial service, the company said.
Sound emissions performance has been logged throughout the development and testing process which has taken years. Emissions from the X-DF-A engine have shown levels significantly below those generated when using diesel as fuel. Good results on N2O emissions have also been seen.
WinGD’s global head of Testing & Validation, Sotiris Topaloglou, commented: “Completing Type Approval Testing and Factory Acceptance Testing with our joint development partner HHI-EMD represents a major technical milestone in the development of ammonia-fuelled two-stroke propulsion. As first movers, we are addressing a completely new fuel landscape, where safety, control and system integration are paramount. We have developed an engine that has been well proven to be safe and efficient by tackling, one by one, all the technical challenges we faced.”
Exmar is now planning sea trials on ammonia fuel designed to check the integration and performance of systems on board while using ammonia as fuel.
