MAN Energy Solutions recently announced a significant milestone in the development of its ME-LGIA engine, which runs on Liquid Gas Injection Ammonia. The engine successfully ran at 100% load during testing at the company’s Research Centre Copenhagen facility. Ole Pyndt Hansen, Head of Two-Stroke Research & Development at MAN Energy Solutions, emphasized the cautious and safety-first approach taken during testing since November 2024. The successful operation of the engine on ammonia from 25-100% load marks a crucial step forward in the maritime energy transition.
During testing, MAN validated the ammonia fuel-injection system’s performance over the full load-curve, with diesel-pilot amounts meeting targets. The company also confirmed positive emission and performance characteristics observed in previous single-cylinder tests during full-scale engine operation. MAN’s proprietary SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system effectively treated exhaust gases at all test loads, demonstrating the functionality of supply and safety systems. The next phase of testing will focus on optimizing performance and emissions, including injection and SCR systems, as well as control strategies.
Christian Ludwig, Head of Global Sales & Promotion for MAN’s Two-Stroke Business, highlighted the ME-LGIA engine’s Power Take-Off (PTO) capability. Based on the Diesel-cycle combustion principle, the engine is well-suited for PTO applications. Prior simulations of PTO on the ammonia engine yielded positive results, which were confirmed during real-life testing. MAN Energy Solutions plans to fully support PTO on the ME-LGIA engine, aligning with its commitment to providing comprehensive support for all engines in its low-speed portfolio.
