Clean and Efficient Shipping by CAT: New Marine Engine Burns Both LNG and Diesel Fuels

M 46 DF – Marine Dual Fuel Engine, image courtesy Caterpillar Marine

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) Announces the Development of Their First High Performance Dual Fuel Marine Engine.

Caterpillar Marine Power Systems is pleased to announce the development of the MaK M 46 DF, a new marine dual fuel engine platform for the commercial marine industry.  The M 46 DF dual fuel engine boasts a power rating of 900 kW per cylinder at 500 and 514 rpm in diesel and gas modes, and is available in an in-line or vee configuration. The engine is currently being tested at Caterpillar’s medium-speed engine facility in Rostock, Germany. First engine deliveries are foreseen for 2014.

“We’re pleased to introduce this reliable, safe and efficient propulsion engine for the commercial marine market,” said Bob Hallengren, Caterpillar Marine Power Systems product manager.

“Our customers want a fuel-efficient, sustainable propulsion product with operational flexibility for both IMO and EPA regulated waters and we’re aiming to exceed their expectations with the M 46 DF engine.”

Able to alternate from gas to diesel mode during operation, the M 46 DF offers the flexibility to operate vessels reliably in all geographical areas, whether the fuel in use is gas, marine diesel oil (MDO) or heavy fuel oil (HFO). In gas mode, the M 46 DF features industry-leading fuel consumption and will comply with IMO III as well as EPA Tier 4 regulations. The engine has been designed to allow retrofitting of current M 43 C engines.

“It was important for us that M 46 DF and M 43 C share the same footprint features, and the same system interfaces. The M 46 DF was designed to provide operators with industry-leading thermal efficiency for lowest total cost of operation,” said Detlef Kirste, MaK product definition manager.

“The engine offers optimized load response and load stability in addition to numerous support features, such as remote monitoring and engine system diagnostics, helping engine operators with their daily service and maintenance work. Our target was to keep the typical MaK marine engine attributes like reliability, safety and efficiency while striving for an engine design that is easy to service and maintain.”

With a bore of 460 millimeters and stroke of 610, the engine was designed for electric drive propulsion systems as well as mechanical propulsion systems. Although designed for unlimited operation on LNG, marine diesel oil and heavy fuel oil, the M 46 DF will reach industry- leading efficiency in gas mode.

The International Workboat Show

This week, Caterpillar Marine Power Systems will be emphasizing its commitment to creating sustainable solutions to meet current and future emissions requirements at the International Workboat 2011 show in New Orleans.   The International Workboat Show is the largest commercial marine tradeshow in North America, serving people and businesses working on the coastal, inland and offshore waters.

Specifically, Caterpillar will be introducing the new Cat^® C175-16 marine propulsion engine, and showcasing the capabilities of the Cat 3516C Tier 3 engine and on-going development of the new MaK M 46 C dual-fuel engine.  All three engines address the challenge of meeting current and pending global emissions regulations.

“As a company, our strategy is focused on serving our customers,” said Caterpillar Marine and Petroleum Power division vice president Richard Case. “They want to know that Caterpillar is leveraging technology, innovation and our global expertise to help them meet changing emission regulations, become more productive and use resources more efficiently. The products we’re highlighting at this show demonstrate our commitment to exceeding these expectations.”

The C175-16 marine propulsion engine is the latest in the company’s line of high performance engines designed to meet EPA Marine Tier 3 and IMO Tier II emissions requirements, as well as the demanding requirements of all major marine classification societies. Rated at 125 – 135 bkW per cylinder at 1,600 rpm, the C175-16 extends Caterpillar Marine’s high-speed engine power range, and features technology advancements and updates to ensure maximum productivity and minimal environmental impact. Designed with future emissions requirements in mind, the C175 engine is already being offered in non-road applications to meet EPA Tier 4 requirements, and is ideal for offshore support vessels, tug and workboat applications.

About Caterpillar Marine Power Systems

Caterpillar Marine Power Systems, with headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, groups all the marketing and service activities for Cat and MaK™ marine engines within Caterpillar Inc. The organisation provides premier power solutions in the medium- and high-speed segments with outputs from 93 to 16,000 kW in main propulsion and 10 to 7,680 kWe in marine generator sets. The sales and service network includes more than 2,100 dealer locations world-wide dedicated to support customers in ocean-going, commercial marine and pleasure craft wherever they are.