Rolls-Royce relies on e-fuels

Rolls-Royce relies on e-fuels

The companies Rolls-Royce, Woodward L'Orange and WTZ Roßlau have been working on the new joint project “MeOHmare” since the beginning of 2023, which aims to develop a high-speed internal combustion engine for ships by the end of 2025. The large-volume unit should be able to be operated in a CO2-neutral manner using green methanol. “We are convinced that with this experienced network of engine manufacturers, injection system providers and research institutes, we will successfully bring the methanol engine onto the water,” says Daniel Chatterjee, who is responsible for technology strategy and sustainability at network coordinator Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

“The decarbonization of shipping is very important to us,” explained Dieter Janecek, maritime coordinator for the federal government, at the opening meeting. “We see great opportunities for new ship propulsion technologies and sustainable fuels such as methanol, so we want to support the market ramp-up.” If methanol is produced using the so-called Power-to-X process, CO2-neutral operation is possible. Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis and the use of electricity from renewable sources. This hydrogen can be further processed into so-called e-methanol through synthesis with the addition of CO2 from the air. "We see methanol as the future fuel for ships. It is a fuel that is already used in the chemical industry and will be produced greenly in the future," says Daniel Chatterjee.

The German BMWK promotes development as part of the “Maritime Research Program” and thus supports the expansion of innovative products in future fields of shipbuilding, the offshore industry and marine technology. With an annual funding volume of around 60 million euros, the innovative strength of the maritime industry is strengthened in international competition and the protection of the climate and the environment is promoted. The new fuel methanol for shipping requires significant changes to the engine concept. “The focus of the development activities is the redesign of the combustion process with the fuel system, charging and engine control as well as all fuel-interacting engine subsystems,” explains Mathias Müller, project manager at Rolls-Royce Power Systems and MeOHmare network coordinator. Woodward L'Orange, the manufacturer of injection systems for large engines based in Stuttgart, will completely redevelop the high-performance injection systems in the project. "Methanol is a demanding fuel due to its properties. That's why new materials and injector concepts have to be introduced," explains Michael Willmann, Director Technology at Woodward L'Orange. The non-profit research institution WTZ Roßlau GmbH will be responsible for setting up a methanol endurance test bench, testing injection components and developing a methanol delivery pump.