MAN Energy Solutions has introduced that it’s growing an oxidation catalyst for four-stroke engines that may considerably cut back methane slip.
Called ‘IMOKAT II’ and developed at MAN Energy Solutions’ headquarters in Augsburg, Germany, the analysis undertaking is presently present process testing on the firm’s Frederikshavn, Denmark facility.
Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economics and Climate Action, the brand new undertaking will examine the operational expertise of a pre-turbo methane-oxidation catalyst, in the end aiming for a 70% discount of methane emissions at 100% load.
Whereas predecessor undertaking, IMOKAT I, investigated completely different catalytic supplies and uncovered a sulphur-resistant materials with none valuable metals that facilitated excessive methane conversion, IMOKAT II is a prototype and expertise demonstrator. In this context, it’s presently investigating the fabric’s potential on a take a look at engine with the most important aim of designing a catalyst answer that may be utilized to a full-scale engine to scale back methane emissions within the subject. Field testing aboard a vessel is scheduled for Q1 2024.
Hans-Philipp Walther, Head of Exhaust Gas Aftertreatment, MAN Energy Solutions, mentioned: “Part of the project involved studying different approaches to methane reduction. Previous attempts to use precious-metal catalysts have resulted in the catalyst elements themselves becoming significantly expensive. Additionally, due to poisoning, you either have to use a lot of such material or install additional technology to protect it. IMOKAT II is therefore not only more robust but also more economical and requires less installation space. As no commercially-available technology yet exists on the market, the field test will be the first time ever that a vessel sails with a methane catalyst.”
The catalyst materials chosen with out valuable metals is sulphur-resistant, which is a vital design consideration as – even throughout fuel operation – pilot- and lube-oils include traces of sulphur. It additionally implies that it’s attainable to preheat the catalyst in diesel mode earlier than switching to fuel operation, the place a chilly catalyst wouldn’t be capable of carry out optimally and methane slip would happen.
MAN Energy Solutions reviews that pre-turbocharger integration of the catalyst is important due to the exhaust-gas strain and temperature stage there. Integration is way more complicated there in comparison with a post-turbocharger set up, as is discovered with SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction).
Walther added: “The greatest challenge to developing this catalyst is reaching the highest conversion rates since engine and catalyst must be optimised together. Another significant hurdle is optimising the dynamic behaviour of the engine with a catalyst applied, especially if the catalyst is cold. Therefore, a bypass flap and additional software functions will be necessary. However, as part of MAN Energy Solutions’ decarbonisation strategy, we are confident we will overcome these challenges and that the catalyst will become available for retrofit and newbuild applications in due course.”
