Caterpillar to unveil first of its kind log test bed for marine

Hamburg, Germany – Caterpillar Marine is pleased to announce 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 ft 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 MaKTM 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 maximize 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,” said 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,” stated 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,” said 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 vaporizing, 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. Customized monitoring and control processes will also be needed to optimize fuel/air composition and safe engine operation.” 

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

• Familiarizing Caterpillar personnel with LNG capabilities. LNG is new for everyone in the industry, and the Kiel test bed will bring everyone at Caterpillar up to speed quickly.
• Demonstrating LNG benefits to Caterpillar’s clients. Knowledge is power, and it’s no different with LNG power. The Kiel test bed will arm Caterpillar sales personnel and dealers with valuable information regarding the technology. This information will be passed on to clients to help them make informed decisions regarding their vessels.
• Testing and improving LNG components. There’s plenty of room for improvement with LNG components, and Caterpillar will ensure its products, including its MaK engines, are the immediate beneficiaries of LNG advancements.
• Developing LNG plants for actual operations. Again, LNG handling is something that has only been made possible in recent years, so further optimization is needed to efficiently support refueling operations in the field. The Kiel test bed will assist with this optimization, and ready field personnel for the challenges LNG poses.
• Facilitate customer training to not only become familiar with LNG, but also teach customers important safety information regarding LNG handling and operational procedures.

LNG is exciting and challenging, and with the Kiel location, Caterpillar will be ready for everything it has to offer.

About Caterpillar Marine

Caterpillar Marine, with headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, groups all the marketing and service activities for Cat and MaK™ marine diesel, dual fuel and gas power and propulsion systems within Caterpillar Inc. The organisation provides premier power solutions in the medium- and high-speed segments with outputs from 93 to 16,800 kW in main propulsion and 10 to 16,100 kWe in marine generator sets as well as a comprehensive portfolio of propulsion solutions. The sales and service network includes more than 2,100 dealer locations world-wide dedicated to support customers in ocean-going, commercial marine and pleasure craft wherever they are.

More information is available at: www.cat.com/marine

About Caterpillar:

For over 90 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. Customers turn to Caterpillar to help them develop infrastructure, energy and natural resource assets. With 2016 sales and revenues of $38.5 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives.  The company principally operates through its three product segments - Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation - and also provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment.  For more information, visit caterpillar.com.  To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social-media.

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