MAN B&W Hits New Milestone in Emission Control

MAN B&W Diesel A/S, Holeby, Denmark, has recently tested and supplied a package consisting of two 8L21/31 and two 6L21/31 GenSets. These GenSets will power an advanced Diesel-Electric research vessel for the State Ministry of Education & Science of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. The vessel, Maria S. Merian, is now under construction at the Lürssen-Krögerwerft, Rendsburg, Germany, and is scheduled for delivery towards the end of the year.

‘Blue Angel’ Engine Emission Limits

‘Blue Angel’ is a German standard for environmentally friendly technology, which covers a wide range of subjects. In the marine world, ‘Blue Angel’ has a comprehensive set of rules, including exhaust emission from diesel engines. ‘Blue Angel’ only allows a NOx emission of 80% of the IMO limits. All engines from MAN B&W Diesel today comply with the IMO rules, however, the latest L21/31 engine has been further optimized to comply with ‘Blue Angel’. The engines’ delivery and final NOx tests in Denmark were surveyed by GL. The L21/31 engines are reportedly the first in the world delivered in compliance with the ‘Blue Angel’ emission standard. The engines were optimized to low NOx emission levels by optimizing the primary process internally in the engine and without any after treatment of the exhaust gas.

A total main engine output of 5,600 kW (7,600 bhp) provides for Maria S. Merian’s hotel load and a maximum speed of 18 knots – and a service/cruising speed of 15 knots.

The Diesel-Electric power for the vessel is supplied by the above-mentioned four L21/31 MAN B&W GenSets. The GenSets are integrated in a propulsion system, driving thrusters and a pump jet. STN ATLAS, Hamburg is supplying the electrical equipment for the drive system for two podded 1900 kW propulsors, as well as the electrical drive system for a 1600 kW pump jet in addition to transformers, generators, cable network, switchboards, and a complete power supply assembly for both the vessel and its scientific operations.