Caterpillar, Inc. is developing a liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled, high-speed engine below 2 MW that will be designed primarily for electric propulsion with specific focus on offshore and ferry applications. The new project runs concurrent with the development the company’s MaK M 46 DF, a dual-fuel engine platform for the commercial marine industry, introduced December 2011 and available in 1st quarter 2014.
Caterpillar says this focus on LNG engine technology demonstrates its ongoing commitment to develop environmentally clean, fuel-efficient engines for the marine industry. This initiative will ensure the company’s marine-focused engines are in compliance with existing IMO II (and pending IMO III) emissions requirements and low-sulfur fuel regulations in emission-controlled areas.
Bob Hallengren, Caterpillar Marine Power Systems product and application manager explains: “These fuel-efficient, sustainable propulsion engines will offer enhanced performance, productivity, reliability and longevity while enabling our customers to meet ever-stricter emissions requirements.”
Caterpillar Marine’s extended LNG product line will ultimately provide customers with engines that are easier and less expensive to install, and will also offer a cost-effective retrofit option for engines in existing ships. Condition monitoring will be offered for shipboard engines no matter where they are operating, providing system simplicity for easier service and maintenance.
Caterpillar’s long-term goal is to sustain the traditional Cat and MaK marine engine attributes including reliability, safety and efficiency, while striving for highly-sustainable engine designs that are easy to service and maintain.
(This article compiled using information from a Caterpillar Inc. press release)
