Most engine technologies in the marine field are dynamic and frequently experiencing modification; one way to minimize the effects on the environment while offering similar or better performances is through innovation. A major achievement has been made with Swiss marine power company WinGD, which was recently awarded its hundredth order for the VCR technology for dual-fuel X-DF engines.
This innovative product, introduced in June 2023, is already popular among LNG carriers and a reference point in the industry segment. VCR technology allows efficiency gain and reduction of emissions (CO2, HC, NOx, and particulate matter) by varying the engine’s compression ratio regarding the fuel type and the combustion behavior during varying loads.
Learn why VCR technology is a breakthrough for engines: The secret to unmatched efficiency, power, and emission reduction revealed
It was this streamline that sponsored the development of VCR technology. VCR technology is a step up in engine technology that enables the engine’s compression ratio to change depending on the fuel type and existing utilization conditions. The technology allows for enhanced compression ratios when using diesel, making the car more efficient and powerful.
With LNG, the compression ratio can be controlled more efficiently to enhance the combustion technique and avoid the production of emissions. This double advantage of VCR technology appeals to shipowners who trade in areas with strict pollution rules. WinGD started offering VCR in 2023 as a part of its X-DF2 model of low-speed large-bore bulk carriers. This engine platform allows ships to increase their efficiency in terms of fuel consumption while keeping the emissions within the required requirements.
Explore the dual advantages of the X-DF engine platform: Discover how VCR and iCER technology make this engine unbeatable
The second improvement of the X-DF dual-fuel engine is the application of VCR technology, the first being the implementation of Intelligent Control by Exhaust Recycling System (iCER). Both technologies have received favorable responses, especially in the LNG carrier segment, where emissions performance is crucial.
By integrating the VCR and iCER concepts, X-DF engines can provide better fuel consumption and lower emission rates than their competitor low-pressure engines. It has turned X-DF engines with VCR into the market staple for LNG carriers and a growing preference for other ship types, including PC&TCs, BCs, and CSs. Second, the reliability of the X-DF platform has been demonstrated in more than 7. It has reached 5 million running hours, strengthening its status as a market leader.
How VCR technology is reshaping the marine industry: A closer look at its impact on efficiency, cost, and sustainability
The significance of VCR technology in the marine industry is immense. It offers shipowners a satisfactory solution that simultaneously offers responsiveness and low emissions. Propulsion plants utilizing the X-DF engines incorporating VCR technology can achieve comparable fuel consumption and emissions to the high-pressure Diesel cycle two-stroke engine, however with the flexibility of fewer auxiliaries, thereby enabling the reduced initial cost.
It makes VCR-equipped engines viable for new construction and retrofitting existing buildings. In addition, because many shipowners are beginning to embrace this technology, there are chances that it will encourage more advancement of marine propulsion systems and scope the horizon of possibilities about efficiency and sustainability.
How VCR technology is leading the future of green maritime: See how it’s paving the way for sustainable innovation in the marine sector
Therefore, the introduction of WinGD’s Variable Compression Ratio technology advances marine engine design because it is a flexible solution that enhances performance while being environmentally friendly. Through their ability to alter the volumetric compression ratio according to the fuel type and engine working conditions, the VCR technology improves efficiency and decreases emissions, making it ideal for the shifting, green maritime business.
The fast recovery in this technology, as reflected by increased uptake, particularly in the LNG carrier segment, reflects on this approach’s effectiveness and the industry’s commitment towards greener practices. In the further development of the marine sector, advanced technologies such as VCR contribute to the future of a greener maritime industry, further demonstrating that efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand.
