MAN Energy Launches Four-Stroke Engine Program: AmmoniaMot 2

Following the design and testing of its first two-stroke ammonia engine, MAN Energy Solutions is launching the AmmoniaMot2 research project with assistance from industry and research institutes. The project will develop a four-stroke, medium-speed, dual-fuel test engine that operates on ammonia. The project is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and began in August 2024 with a running schedule of three and a half years.

“In the original AmmoniaMot project, we laid a foundation with our partners and proved that ammonia is a suitable fuel for medium-speed applications with the potential to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 90-95% while complying with existing emission regulations,” said Christian Kunkel, Head of Combustion Development, Four-Stroke R&D, MAN Energy Solutions. “I am excited to take the next step with our partners in AmmoniaMot 2. There is no doubt that ammonia will become an important carbon-free fuel and thus contribute to the decarbonization of the maritime sector.”

The project succeeds the AmmoniaMot initiative, which conducted investigations regarding ammonia combustion in internal-combustion engines, ending in May 2024. AmmoniaMot 2 is kicking off with new partners, including: WTZ Roßlau GmbH, Woodward L’Orange GmbH, the University of Munich, Neptun Ship Design GmbH, the University of Rostock, GenSys GmbH, and MNR GmbH.

Two-stroke ammonia engine; image credit: MAN Energy

“For MAN Energy Solutions, this project is the next logical step after the previous AmmoniaMot project,” said Alexander Knafl, Head of Engineering R&D Four-Stroke, MAN Energy Solutions. “It supports our own strategy to develop sustainable technologies, and we very much appreciate the opportunity to work with our partners. For us, the path to decarbonizing the maritime industry starts with decarbonizing fuels and, in this context, ammonia is a candidate as it is carbon-free and thus avoids CO₂-emissions when used as a fuel in our engines.”

Partner Roles

• MAN Energy will design the entire engine concept for ship application, including the exhaust-gas aftertreatment system
• WTZ Roßlau will develop the engine’s combustion concept and test the injection components under real-world conditions
• Woodward L’Orange will develop the engine’s injector prototype
• The University of Munich is responsible for the 3D-computational fluid dynamics combustion simulation
• Neptun Ship Design will develop the high-pressure fuel-supply module demonstrator (CAPSAM) for ammonia, accounting for safety requirements aboard seafaring vessels
• The University of Rostock will conduct experiments on the injection technology, exhaust-gas aftertreatment concept, lubrication, and will develop 0D/1D simulation models
• GenSys will build the ammonia CAPSAM
• MNR will develop the double-walled fuel system and compensator for the high-pressure fuel piping system

MAN Energy Solutions predicts the future application of ammonia-powered, four-stroke engines in newbuild projects without passengers, such as cargo or special vessels, or as an auxiliary generator set for large, ammonia-powered two-stroke vessels. The company is presently focusing on methanol for passenger ships such as ferries and cruise liners and is developing corresponding engines.

MAN Energy Engine News

In September 2024, the Canadian Coastguard, as part of a consortium with GE Power Conversion, ordered propulsion systems from MAN Energy Solutions for two Arctic offshore patrol ships (AOPS). MAN Energy will deliver the engines, shafts, and propellers for the AOPS’ integrated diesel-electric propulsion systems, as well as integrated logistics services documentation. The company will also provide a selective catalytic reduction system with each engine.