WinGD engine tests confirm 30% cuts in methane slip

Marine engine company, WinGD, has revealed significant reductions in methane slip following tests of its variable compression ratio (VCR) technology on new X-DF engines to be installed on bulk carriers under construction for NYK Lines. The Swiss-based engine firm carried out the X-DF.2.0 engine tests at Mitsui E&S DU (MESDU) facilities in Japan where the engines are being built.

The six-cylinder 62-bore engine recorded methane emissions 30% below those on the same engine without VCR technology, as well as reduced fuel consumption. Total slip on the new engines with VCR was around 0.83% of gas consumption, less than half the European Union (and provisional IMO) default slip attributed to low-pressure, low-speed, dual-fuel engines in current regulations. Larger slip reductions are expected on engines with larger bores, WinGD said.

Fuel savings were recorded as 5.8% in gas mode and up to 6.9% in diesel operation. This will result in lower overall emissions as well as reduced bunker bills.

Peter Krähenbühl, WinGD vice president, Product Centre, commented: “Over the past decade we’ve worked to ensure that the unmatched reliability and low capital expenditure of X-DF engines are supported by the lowest possible overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The fuel consumption and methane slip reductions achieved by VCR bring us to that point. Low GHG emissions will be fundamental for shipowners as carbon pricing measures take effect, which is why we have already seen strong uptake, with well over 100 new X-DF engines ordered with VCR so far.”