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Dec 22, 2023

ABC expands dual fuel methanol range

By Jack Burke31 May 2023 Medium-speed DZD engines designed for heavy-duty

By Jack Burke31 May 2023

Medium-speed DZD engines designed for heavy-duty applications

Anglo Belgian Corp. (ABC) said it has developed an extended range of dual fuel methanol engines.

These medium-speed DZD MeOH engines, based on the DZ engine family, develop up to 3536 kW (4810 HP) and are designed for heavy-duty applications.

ABC said E-Methanol is today regarded as an important alternative fuel for decarbonization in heavy-duty applications such as shipping, power generation and rail freight transport. Methanol, when made from renewable energy, is CO2 neutral and offers several interesting benefits that can help our customers on their way to significantly reducing their CO2 emissions.

The company said methanol also fits into the "Fit for 55" package, presented in 2021 and designed to realize the European Climate Law objectives: climate neutrality by 2050 and a 55 % reduction of net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, compared with 1990 levels.

Liquid methanol also offers additional flexibility in ship design, the company said. This fuel does not need to be cooled or stored under high pressure, allowing the fuel tanks to be nicely incorporated into the ship's hull and not wasting valuable space.

The DZD MeOH engine range is a completely new range of medium-speed dual fuel methanol engines for ABC. The range consists of 6- and 8-cylinder inline engines and 12- and 16-cylinder V-engines covering a power range between 955 kW (1300 hp) and 3.5 MW (4810 hp).

Depending on the operational profile and load, a ratio of 70% methanol and 30% conventional fuel or biofuel can be achieved. An additional advantage of these dual fuel engines is that the operator can switch to 100% conventional fuel or biofuel when methanol is not available. The switchover can also be done automatically and even under load without any loss of power, the company said.

Combined with an exhaust after-treatment system (EATS), the remaining soot particles and nitrogen gases (NOx) are eliminated by a particulate filter and SCR/oxicat system so that the strictest emission standards are achieved. And when biodiesel or HVO is used to replace conventional fuel, CO2 emissions are even more reduced.

ABC said the DZD MeOH engines were fully developed in-house, use proven technology and have been extensively tested to ensure long-term and efficient operation.

The dual fuel methanol engines use a double-walled methanol fuel system that eliminates the risk of leakage, the company said.. This makes these engines compliant with the IGF code. However, it remains a necessity to comply with mandatory safety and installation regulations.

Liquid methanol is injected at low pressure, via port injection (before the intake valves), into the combustion chamber. This system is less complex than high-pressure systems and is both much cheaper to purchase and maintain, ABC said.

Since liquid methanol, injected under low pressure, requires less preparation, the ATEX zone can be kept relatively small which again provides additional storage space in the vessel. This again provides cost savings, the company said.

ABC's DZD MeOH engines do not require any lubrication additives in the methanol. Additionally, no separate lubrication unit needs to be provided, again saving additional space and avoiding additional costs.

It is possible to retrofit existing ABC engines, which operate with conventional fuel, to dual fuel methanol operation. For example, Port of Antwerp-Bruges, with the Methatug, is currently converting an existing tugboat with two ABC engines to methanol propulsion. A world first! With this, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is taking another important step in the transition to a sustainable and CO2-neutral port.