Wärtsilä has introduced a new methane slip reduction solution for its Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engine. The new technology, which converts Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel (DF) engines to spark gas (SG) operation, enables a more optimised combustion process, thereby improving efficiency and lowering methane emissions. While operating on LNG, the new ‘Spark Gas Conversion for Wärtsilä 50DF’ is designed to reduce methane emissions up to 75% more than the standard Wärtsilä 50DF engine.

The Spark Gas Conversion for Wärtsilä 50DF minimizes methane emissions by introducing an electrically controlled pre-combustion chamber valve for a more optimized combustion process. The estimated result is that, on an IMO-weighted (E2-cycle) average, the new solution reduces methane emissions down to 1.1% of fuel use.

The development of the solution, which consists of converting one-to-two of the total DF engines to SG, was made possible through extensive collaboration between Wärtsilä and Chevron Shipping Company. It was announced earlier that one engine on six Chevron LNG Carriers will be converted from DF to SG as part of Chevron’s aim to reducing the carbon intensity of its operations.

The solution is now available to all vessels in the industry with existing Wärtsilä 50DF engines diesel-electric propulsion, the majority of which are LNG carriers.

The new solution is optimized for LNG as fuel, therefore producing a better energy output per unit of fuel. This means fuel gas savings of up to 4.6%, as well as lower methane emissions.