Caterpillar Marine unveils LNG solutions test bed
Hamburg-based firm Caterpillar Marine has unveiled a liquefied natural gas (LNG) test bed at its Kiel facility in Germany. The unit, comprising an LNG tank and a gas preparation unit, is designed to demonstrate the fuel's capability to clients and improve Caterpillar's internal understanding of the technology. LNG burns cleaner than other fossil fuels and emits lower amounts of nitrogen oxide, sulphur oxides, particulate matter and carbon dioxide, according to Georg Gillert, engineering supervisor for Caterpillar Marine.
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Caterpillar Marine has announced the unveiling of the first LNG test bed for gas-fuelled engines at its facility in Kiel (photo: Caterpillar Marine)

Caterpillar Marine has announced the unveiling of the first LNG (liquefied natural gas) test bed for gas-fuelled engines at its facility in Kiel. The LNG preparation unit comprises of an LNG tank and a gas preparation unit, both in 40-foot container size. Both developed and provided by Marine Service GmbH, Hamburg.

The future holds great promise for LNG solutions, and Caterpillar is perfecting the technology at its new Kiel test bed. Caterpillar is already a leader in LNG power with its respected and widely adopted MaK™ branded dual fuel engines, which are capable of running on MDO or NG (natural gas). But there’s still a lot to learn about LNG and the engineering required to maximise its potential. With its Kiel location, Caterpillar will improve its understanding of the technology and enhance the service it provides to clients adopting LNG.

“LNG offers obvious benefits to marine power and it’s considered a true future fuel,” says Georg Gillert, engineering supervisor for Caterpillar Marine. “It burns cleaner than other fuels, emitting low amounts of nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), particulate matter and carbon dioxide. When handled properly, LNG offers a clear path to regulation compliance with all current and future standards,” states Gillert. LNG also provides greater energy density than natural gas in its gaseous form, and it’s possible to store up to 600 times more LNG than standard natural gas.

LNG’s clean burning nature has drawn numerous vessel owners, and particularly those with an eye for future compliance. Several marine industries, including cruise lines and chemical / oil tanker operations, have begun fitting their fleets with MaK power, and gas-fuelled engine prevalence will only increase over time.

“Caterpillar’s LNG test bed in Kiel is a milestone in LNG development,” says Gillert. “While LNG is a promising fuel, it does offer unique challenges. LNG has to be kept at extremely low temperatures to prevent it from vaporising, and this requires additional gas handling components not found in other power systems. New engine and gas handling architecture is needed to take full advantage of LNG’s emissions benefits. Customised monitoring and control processes will also be needed to optimise fuel/air composition and safe engine operation.”

With that in mind, Caterpillar’s Kiel test bed will focus on the following: