Tech Files

ORNL, Caterpillar Collaborate on Methanol as Fuel for Marine Engines

A collaboration between Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Caterpillar Inc. will investigate using methanol as an alternative fuel source for marine vessels.

Members of the research team kicked off the project with the installation of a 6-cylinder engine at the Department of Energy’s National Transportation Research Center at ORNL.

The ORNL and Caterpillar collaboration focuses on a four-stroke internal combustion marine engine that will be modified to run on methanol.

Although methanol has many advantages, it is more difficult to ignite than diesel. Under the terms of the agreement, ORNL researchers will work with Caterpillar over the next few years to identify, develop and test hardware configurations and operating strategies required to maximize use of methanol in engines retrofitted for methanol.

New engine designs will also be considered, and several engine combustion strategies will be explored including dual-fuel, dimethyl ether reforming and spark-ignited prechambers.

“We look forward to working with Caterpillar to develop near-term combustion strategies that can be retrofitted on existing engines to realize immediate reductions in carbon emissions. We also will develop long-term combustion strategies for new engine technologies that achieve 100% displacement of diesel fuel with methanol,” said ORNL’s Jim Szybist, section head for Propulsion Science. “The research we conduct over the next few years will be a significant contributor to decarbonization efforts globally.”

In addition to DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office, the collaboration is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration.

HamiltonJet Launches HJ215 Waterjet

New Zealand-based HamiltonJet has launched its HJ215 waterjet, suited for a wide range of vessels.

It is compact and lightweight and is built for greater efficiency at high speeds, making it an option for thrill-seeking tourist crafts, search and rescue vessels and other marine sectors.

The new factory-made TURBO II impeller option offers improved performance where acceleration and high thrust in aerated water are important.

The factory manufactured Trim Nozzle with electric actuation configuration delivers faster acceleration from the start and allows adjustment of the boat trim on the go.

The waterjet has been designed for close coupling to the engine near the transom, maximizing usable space within the boat and is supplied as a single packaged module, ready for easy installation. It has been designed to pair with HamiltonJet’s advanced AVXexpress electronic control system and will drop into an existing HJ213 hull space with no required modifications.

Engine alignment and controls set-up are simple, and an inboard inspection hatch allows access to the interior of the waterjet. Routine service can be completed without disturbing the hull seal. It has a full hydraulic reverse actuation system and is compatible with a diverse range of engines from global manufacturers.

All HamiltonJet waterjets utilize low-loss steering systems, which save fuel when course keeping and minimize speed loss during tighter turns, including 360-degree maneuvering. Low speed maneuvering is also very efficient, due to the trust-vectoring capability of the steering and reverse system and due to their design and inboard impeller, the jets can operate in shallow waters making them safe for swimmers and other marine animals, such as whales.

Crowley to Pilot Onboard Carbon Capture Technology

Crowley announced it will pilot carbon capture technology on board one of its containerships under the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) program.

The Jacksonville, Fla. based shipping company said it has reached an agreement with Sana Monica, Calif. based Carbon Ridge and MARAD to operate, measure and optimize the technology’s effectiveness in actual maritime environments at port and ultimately at sea. The collaboration includes the engineering, manufacturing and integration of a small capacity version of Carbon Ridge’s full-scale carbon capture system.

“The advancement of the pilot project represents a milestone in the emerging technology for carbon capture. With its potential for significant emissions reductions through retrofitting or during new building, ship owners and operators have the opportunity to future-proof their vessels for incoming regulations, as well as reach internal goals for decarbonization and reduced emissions impacts,” said Chase Dwyer, CEO, Carbon Ridge.

Crowley’s engineering services group is leading the integration of the pilot system on the containership Storm, which serves the U.S. and Caribbean Basin. The carbon capture system will be housed in two 40-foot container units on the vessel’s main deck and have an additional 20-foot ISO-certified tank for storing the captured liquid CO2. The pilot project is expected to capture 1 metric ton per day from the vessel’s main engine.

“We are excited to help spearhead the maritime industry’s journey to cleaner operations at sea and in our communities,” said Brett Bennett, senior vice president and general manager, Crowley Logistics. “This is a strong step forward to understanding and achieving our commitment to reaching net-zero emissions as part of our sustainability strategy.”

“MARAD is pleased to work with industry partners through META to demonstrate innovative technology applications that may lead to greater greenhouse gas emission reductions in the maritime sector,” said Daniel Yuska, director of the MARAD Office of Environment and Innovation.

Installation of the pilot unit on the vessel is expected in 2024 after completing onshore testing.

In 2022, Crowley contributed to Carbon Ridge’s seed funding round to continue developing the technology.

OSG to Install Starlink Fleetwide

U.S. shipping company Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG) announced it will equip all vessels in its fleet with Space X’s Starlink satellite internet service in a move that aims to enhance connectivity for seafarers.

Since the introduction to the market of Starlink’s Global Maritime service earlier this year, OSG’s IT department has worked to substantially complete installation of Starlink equipment on every vessel in the fleet of OSG and ATC, with full installation expected by year end, the company said.

Starlink's constellation of low-level satellites provide high-speed internet service access in remote and challenging environments, allowing seafarers to stay connected with loved ones via video calls, access streaming services and social media, and attend to personal matters while at sea.

Patrick O’Halloran, OSG’s Chief Operations Officer, said, “Our crew identified this as important, and we listened. The goal of the Starlink install was to enhance vessel communications and improve our crew’s ability to connect with family and friends. Our seafarers are the greatest asset we possess, and we are glad to support them on this. Our investment in the Starlink technology represents a major step forward in our industry and highlights our commitment to improving the quality of life for our crewmembers while they are at sea.”

“The implementation of this service will further position OSG as a forward-thinking organization in the maritime industry,” O’Halloran continued. “In addition to the benefits that Starlink provides to OSG’s crew, the availability of reliable, high-speed internet access while our ships are travelling across the globe will permit seafarers to better manage their vessels and communicate with shoreside staff.”