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Alfa Laval says its FCM One low-flashpoint (LF) methanol booster systems have logged more than 4,500 running hours on vessels in the past three years. Now, following the extensive use of the booster systems on methanol-fuelled tankers with ME-LGI engines, the company is also supporting MAN Diesel & Turbo in the development of the engine series for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and is due to deliver its first FCM One LPG booster for testing in a few weeks.

In late 2013, Alfa Laval was selected by MAN Diesel & Turbo to deliver low-flashpoint supply systems (LFSS) for the world's first methanol-fuelled tankers. Since 2012, the two companies had been collaborating on fuel conditioning for MAN Diesel & Turbo's new two-stroke diesel engines with liquefied gas injection (LGI) technology. But when the engine maker was contracted to equip nine vessels with methanol-burning ME-LGI engines, methanol came quickly into focus.

"MAN Diesel & Turbo has worked closely with Alfa Laval in development projects like exhaust gas recirculation, where Alfa Laval PureNOx technology cleans the circulation water," explained Soren H. Jensen, Vice President and Head of R&D, Two-Stroke Business at MAN Diesel & Turbo.

"That, together with deep expertise in fuel conditioning, made Alfa Laval the natural choice to deliver the low-flashpoint supply systems for methanol," Jensen added.

Thousands of hours at sea

The finished booster technology, the Alfa Laval FCM One LF, was installed on tankers built at Minaminippon in Japan and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Korea. The vessels' three owners, MOL, Westfal-Larsen and Marinvest, have since logged more than 4,500 running hours with the FCM One LF in the past three years.

"The effectiveness and market-readiness of our ME-LGI engine technology has been clearly demonstrated by the fleet," said Kjeld Aabo, Customer Director at MAN Diesel & Turbo. "Alfa Laval's low-flashpoint booster technology has played a significant role in that success, and we look forward to further cooperation as the application develops."

LPG booster ready for testing

New booster developments are already underway. MAN Diesel & Turbo is currently modifying the ME-LGI engine series to use LPG as an alternative fuel, and Alfa Laval is preparing the booster system.

After more than a year of development, the first Alfa Laval FCM One LPG is due to be delivered to the MAN Diesel & Turbo's Copenhagen test site in the coming weeks.

"Tests of the engine and booster are expected to be completed by the end of 2017," remarked Roberto Comelli [pictured], Business Manager, Fuel Conditioning Systems at Alfa Laval.

"In the meantime, Alfa Laval is preparing to support MAN Diesel & Turbo when the first LPG-related orders come in. We are proud to be associated with LGI engine technology and to help bring more customers access to this low-emission alternative," Comelli added.

Image: Roberto Comelli, Business Manager, Fuel Conditioning Systems at Alfa Laval.