MAN-powered cargo vessel meets Tier III limits
MAN Diesel & Turbo has been awarded a Tier III-compatibility certificate by the DNV-GL classification society for MAN 8L21/31 four-stroke engine aboard a DFDS Seaways ship with a retrofitted SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system. While the engine alone meets IMO Tier II emission criteria, the SCR system for NOx reduction raises the whole system to the standard demanded by IMO Tier III rules, the company said in its press release.
The vessel in question, the ‘Petunia Seaways’ is a cargo ship that sails a regular North Sea route between Gothenburg, and Immingham, respectively Ghent for DFDS Seaways. Its SCR system greatly reduces the level of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the engine’s exhaust gas.
Since September 2012, when one of Petunia Seaways’ 8L21/31 auxiliary engines was retrofitted with a SCR system, it has played a major role in the testing of this new technology. As such, the system has proven daily that freight ships can now meet the strict emission levels laid down by IMO Tier III where NOx emissions have to be reduced in certain areas by 75% compared to current limits.
MAN Diesel & Turbo is the first company to successfully make four-stroke marine engines IMO Tier III-compliant, based on a fully modular SCR-kit that is covering the entire MAN Diesel & Turbo four-stroke engine portfolio. "For the last 8,800 hours, this particular auxiliary engine of the Petunia Seaways has consistently met Tier III NOx limits under real life operating conditions and in full accordance with the rules," said Dr. Daniel Struckmeier, Senior Project Manager Emission 2016 at, MAN Diesel & Turbo.
The SCR method injects urea into the exhaust gases and passes them through a catalytic converter at a temperature of 300 to 400 degrees Celsius. The subsequent, chemical reaction reduces the undesired nitrogen oxides (NOx) by over 80%. The SCR system in its entirety consists of a catalytic converter with several control units and a surveillance and control unit.
Results on the test bed and at open sea have been impressive and shown that SCR technology is reliable and ready for commercial production and operation. Accordingly, MAN Diesel & Turbo has already made the basic version of the SCR system available for all four-stroke engines, from those powering the largest cruise ships, to ferries and specialised ships, to small, coastal vessels.
"It is important that we have proven to fulfil the same high standards that will be demanded by Tier III in the future", said Prof. Dr. Gunnar Stiesch, Head of Advanced Engineering & Exhaust After treatment Four-Stroke Engines.
DFDS Seaways also views the collaboration with MAN Diesel & Turbo as a success: "I am happy that we have helped develop a new, environmentally friendly technology. DFDS and other operators are definitely going to benefit from SCR meeting international standards", said Poul Woodall, Director of Sustainability & Public Affairs at DFDS Seaways.
