Wärtsilä unveils methane reduction tech for LNG engines

Wärtsilä has launched a retrofit for its 50DF dual-fuel marine engines aimed at significantly cutting methane slip during LNG operation. The conversion enables existing 50DF engines to be converted to spark gas (SG) mode, resulting in up to 75% lower methane emissions compared with conventional combustion.

The system uses an electrically controlled pre-combustion chamber valve to enable a more efficient combustion process. On an IMO-weighted E2 test cycle, Wärtsilä estimates the conversion can reduce methane emissions to just 1.1% of total fuel use. It also offers up to 4.6% fuel gas savings.

The technology has been developed in collaboration with Chevron Shipping Company, which plans to convert one engine on each of six LNG carriers as part of its broader carbon intensity reduction strategy.

The retrofit is available to vessels using Wärtsilä 50DF engines in diesel-electric configurations, primarily LNG carriers. “The use of LNG and cutting methane emissions is one of the most effective ways to decrease overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from marine engines over the next decade, complementing other efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions,” said Roger Holm, executive vice president, Wärtsilä Corporation. “As the shipping industry strives for more sustainable operations, this new solution represents an important milestone on the road to advancing lower carbon fleets.”