Development of Medium Speed Engine Testing Laboratories for Efficiency Improvement and Emissions Reduction Technology Evaluations

One fundamental pillar of the marine industry is the use of diesel engines for propulsion and to establish the vessel’s electrical grid. The extent that this critical piece of technology is used is under scrutiny due to upcoming MARPOL greenhouse gas emissions regulations, more specifically the mandate to reduce the sulfur content in the fuel used onboard to 0.5% mass by mass. The issue at hand is that heavy fuel oils, or bunkers, are used as a primary fuel source as it is a cheaper diesel derivate, but has a sulfur content of approximately 3.5% mass by mass. Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) developed a research lab to enable both MMA and the marine industry to test and validate technologies, fuels, fuel additives, and lubrication oils to either increase the diesel engine’s efficiency or reduce the overall emissions output. The engine lab features an instrumented Wartsila 6L20 medium speed engine, the required support systems, and a continuous emissions monitoring system.

• Record URL:
  https://mainemaritime.edu/metel/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/04/Medium-Speed-Diesel-Lab-Project-Final-Report.pdf
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This research was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  Marine Engine Testing and Emissions Laboratory

  Maine Maritime Academy
  Castine, ME  United States  04420

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Kimball, Richard
  • Wallace, Travis
  • Sarnacki, Brendyn
• Publication Date: 2019-3-31

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 19p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Diesel engine exhaust gases; Engine efficiency; Laboratories; Marine diesel engines; Monitoring
• Uncontrolled Terms: Sulfur content
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01705193
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: METEL-2014P780
• Contract Numbers: DTRT13-G-UTC43
• Files: UTC, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: May 22 2019 4:40PM