MeOHmare - MTU methanol engine for the shipping of the future

Joint project to develop the marine engine of the future by 2025

According to a press release, the companies Rolls-Royce (MTU Friedrichshafen) and Woodward L'Orange (Einspritzsysteme Großmotoren Stuttgart) and the research centre WTZ Roßlau (Dessau) have been working on the new joint project "MeOHmare" since the beginning of 2023, which is being funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) with eight million euros. The three companies are to develop a concept for a high-speed combustion engine for ships that can be operated with green methanol (e-methanol) in a CO2-neutral manner by the end of 2025.

Fuel for future ship propulsion systems

By utilising renewable electricity, green hydrogen is produced by means of electrolysis. This hydrogen can be further processed into methanol by synthesising it and adding CO2 from the air. However, due to its properties and production process, e-methanol is a challenging fuel and requires significant changes in the areas of engine management, materials, injection systems and testing facilities.

New developments necessary

Rolls-Royce will develop a completely new engine concept based on the MTU Series 4000, which will enable low-emission, CO2-neutral and economical operation with e-methanol.

Development activities at Woodward L'Orange are focussed on the redesign of fuel injection, turbocharging and engine control as well as all fuel-dependent subsystems, as there are currently no injection systems ready for series production for high-speed methanol marine engines.

The non-profit research organisation Wissenschaftlich-Technisches Zentrum Roßlau (WTZ Roßlau gGmbH) will be responsible for setting up a methanol endurance test bench, testing injection components and developing a methanol feed pump. This project also lays the foundation for the establishment of a test centre for the validation of injection systems with alternative fuels.

Conclusion

The development of so-called e-fuels as alternative and environmentally friendly fuels for "combustion engines" has therefore long since begun.