Fuel/gas conversions keeps your investment profitable.
When an installation is designed, capital investment is focused on expected energy trends and known environmental regulations. All along its lifetime, generally over 25 years, fuel prices vary and environmental requirements become more stringent. It often affects the profitability of the investment and could lead to a different load profile, need to invest into emission control technologies or change to another fuel. Conversions are a simple way to get back to profitability while respecting regulations.
Conversion from fuel oil to gas
Conversion of an HFO (Heavy Fuel Oil) or MDO (Marine Diesel Oil) installation to operate on natural gas offers many benefits and is becoming more attractive in many areas, especially if there is a requirement to reduce emission levels.
- Engine conversion consists mainly of installing a gas fuel system on the engine.
- Plant conversion consists of modifications to gas handling systems and the control system.
Wärtsilä gas conversion technologies are of 3 types:
- Gas diesel (GD)
Gas diesel is based on high-pressure natural gas injection in the diesel cycle, which means that engine modification is limited to the injection equipment and control systems. It is pilot fuel ignited with LFO and fuel switching is always possible for maximum fuel flexibility. GD conversion is available for Wärtsilä Vasa 32, Wärtsilä Vasa 32LN, Wärtsilä 38A and Wärtsilä 46.
- Low-pressure natural gas (SG)
Conversion of Wärtsilä Vasa 32, Wärtsilä Vasa 32LN and Wärtsilä 32 to Wärtsilä 34SG specification makes it possible to utilise the benefits of low pressure natural gas in a spark ignited otto-cycle. Converted engine offers same benefits as factory made 34SG: high efficiency, low NOx emissions, lean-burn, state-of-the-art design.
- Dual-fuel (DF)
Wärtsilä 25, Wärtsilä Vasa 32, Wärtsilä Vasa 32LN and Wärtsilä 46 engines can now be converted to dual fuel (DF) engines and are then able to operate on low pressure natural gas in an otto-cycle, while keeping the possibility to be run with other fuels (LFO and HFO) in a diesel-cycle. Natural gas operation is becoming more attractive all around the world, and for many installations the only restriction for conversion to gas is the limited availability of gas. However gas distribution systems are continually being expanded and it is anticipated that the use of natural gas in many industries, including power generation will increase rapidly.
Conversion from MDO (Marine Diesel Oil) or LFO (Light Fuel Oil) to HFO (Heavy Fuel Oil)
Most Wärtsilä marine and power plant installations can easily be converted from MDO to HFO operation. While some additional auxiliary equipment are required for fuel oil treatment, particularly for heating the fuel oil to a correct viscosity before the engine injection system. As far as the engine is concerned, the large majority of Wärtsilä engines are designed to operate with HFO (Heavy Diesel Oil). Therefore a conversion from MDO operation to HFO operation is possible without major alterations to the engine specification.
The price difference between MDO and HFO is usually so great that many customers presently operating with MDO are converting their installation to HFO operation. The considerable price difference means that the conversion project has a short payback time. The HFO conversion is installation specific and the existing fuel oil system and lubricating oil system requires evaluation due to the cost differences of the delivered equipment. To improve the return on investment, original equipment is utilised as much as possible.
