Press Information
Tokyo, July 9, 2012 - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has completed "4UE-X3," a testing facility for full-scale low-speed, 2-stroke marine diesel engines, in the company's Kobe Shipyard and Machinery Works in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. The facility will be used for testing of various technologies to respond to stringent environmental regulations that are expected to be applied to the shipping industry in the future. The facility will also be used for verification testing of "UEC-LSGi," a dual-fuel low-speed marine diesel that is capable of using natural gas for its fuel, which the company has recently been developing.
The 4-cylinder testing machine, with a cylinder bore of 600mm when completed, was developed based on the "Mitsubishi UEC60LSE-Eco," a low-speed marine diesel engine of the company. The testing machine will be used for verification of various technologies to comply with NOx (nitrogen oxide) emission regulations Tier III of IMO (International Maritime Organization), which will apply to the engine of ships to be newly built after 2016, requiring the reduction of NOx emission by 80%.
Regarding IMO NOx Tier III, MHI has already achieved a de-NOx rate of 80% in on-board test using an actual ship with the company's SCR (selective catalytic reduction) system*1 and has affirmed its prospect towards the commercialization of the system. Using the facility, a technology verification of EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) system*2 will also be tested using actual size components.
In responding to the increasing needs for energy-saving operations and the reduction, various development activities, including new engine structures and technology, will be accelerated by using the testing facility. MHI is currently promoting "Project MEET (Mitsubishi Marine Energy & Environmental Technical Solution System)" to propose a package of solutions leveraging the company's wide range of marine machinery and technologies. The plans call for the facility to carry out verification of the technology of waste heat recovery, a pillar of the MEET initiative, including ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle)*3 technology.
Adjoining the testing facility, a training facility and practicing room have been set up, where disassembly and maintenance of diesel engine's major components can be carried out. The facilities will be used to provide operation and maintenance training to customers, too.
Going forward MHI, as one of the world's top three low-speed marine engine licensors, will carry on with its development activities of products and technologies that lead the industry, leveraging the newly completed testing facility, and will further enhance the presence as only manufacturer of that kind of engines in Japan.
Main Particulars of "4UE-X3" testing facilities
Number of cylinders: 4
Cylinder bore diameter: 600mm
Stroke of piston: 2,400mm
Break mean effective pressure: 21.0 bar (as an initial specification)
Power output: 9,970kW
Engine speed: 105 rpm
Notes:
1.SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) is a system to spray a reduction agent in the flow of exhaust gas and reduce NOx in the gas on a catalyst.
2.EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) is a system to recirculate part of exhaust gas from engine. The system enables to lower NOx emission in
exhaust gas from engine.
3.ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) is a waste heat recovery system to use organic refrigerant with a low boiling point, which is also used in
residential-use air-conditioners.
About MHI Group
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com.