WinGD, a Swiss marine power company, has reported that early testing of its X-DF-A ammonia-fuelled engine has met key expectations.
The 52-bore single-cylinder version of the engine is undergoing trials at the company’s Engine Research and Innovation Centre (ERIC) in Winterthur, a city in the canton of Zurich.
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These tests are crucial for the final validation before the first engine deliveries, slated for June 2025.
The X-DF-A engine platform merges diesel-cycle technology with “innovative” ammonia injection and combustion technologies, aiming to control and minimise emissions.
The ongoing single-cylinder tests are required for the “rapid” validation of the ammonia combustion system and optimising “emissions and performance”.
This phase follows earlier tests, including combustion trials and validation of critical systems on dedicated rigs, as well as multiple class approvals for the safety concept.
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By GlobalDataWinGD will conduct a multi-cylinder engine test in the next few months at its Global Research Centre in Shanghai to validate the full-scale engine and its components before production commences.
WinGD research and development vice president Sebastian Hensel said: “The single-cylinder X-DF-A concept is running well, with combustion efficiency, emissions and pilot consumption within our range of expectations.
“This milestone is a testament to our uniquely rigorous approach to innovation and the fantastic work of our development team and partners.”
WinGD’s ammonia development programme was initiated in 2019. In 2022, the project advanced to experiments in the “one-of-a-kind” spray combustion chamber at ERIC’s Future Fuels Lab, followed by in-depth component testing.
Prior to the single-cylinder engine tests, the ammonia fuel injectors underwent testing on test rigs and a multi-cylinder methanol engine to ensure “functional and mechanical reliability” under full load conditions.
Development efforts have also focused on the fuel handling and safety concept, addressing the challenges posed by ammonia as a fuel.
The engine’s safety concept is set to be verified on test engines, with WinGD having already received “approvals in principle” from several class societies.
The company is collaborating with fuel technology providers for a better fuel system and working with shipyards and early customers to ensure safe design, installation, and operation.
WinGD has secured nearly 30 orders for its X-DF-A engines across various shipping segments, with the first engines to be installed on four LPG/ammonia carriers owned by Exmar LPG and ten bulk carriers operated by CMB.Tech.
In 2023, WinGD and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) partnered on ammonia-fuelled engine applications for future vessels.
