Controlling Engine Load Distribution in LNG Ship Propulsion Systems to Optimize Gas Emissions and Fuel Consumption

Martinić-Cezar, S.; Jurić, Z.; Assani, N.; Račić, N. (2025). Controlling Engine Load Distribution in LNG Ship Propulsion Systems to Optimize Gas Emissions and Fuel Consumption. Energies, 18(3), 485.https://doi.org/10.3390/en18030485

@article{Martinic-Cezar-2025-,
author = {Martinić-Cezar, S and Jurić, Z and Assani, N and Račić, N},
title = {Controlling Engine Load Distribution in LNG Ship Propulsion Systems to Optimize Gas Emissions and Fuel Consumption},
journal = {Energies},
year = {2025},
month = {jan},
publisher = {MDPI},
volume = {18},
number = {3},
pages = {485},
doi = {10.3390/en18030485},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/3/485},
keywords = {Unspecified Feedstock, Methane (Natural Gas), Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), Marine Diesel Oil (MDO), Unspecified Pathway, Engine Testing and Performance, Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) and Air Emissions, Ocean-going Vessels},
}

TY - JOUR
TI - Controlling Engine Load Distribution in LNG Ship Propulsion Systems to Optimize Gas Emissions and Fuel Consumption
AU - Martinić-Cezar, S
AU - Jurić, Z
AU - Assani, N
AU - Račić, N
T2 - Energies
AB - The increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability and stricter gas emissions regulations has made the optimization of fuel and emissions a crucial factor for marine propulsion systems. This paper investigates the potential to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions of LNG ship propulsion systems by using different load sharing strategies in Dual-Fuel Diesel-Electric (DFDE) propulsion systems. Using data collected from on-board cyclic measurements and an optimization model, the effects of different load sharing strategies for various types of fuel, such as HFO, MDO, and LNG, under different engine load conditions were investigated. The results of these strategies are compared with those of on-board power management systems (PMS), which evenly allocate power among the engines, irrespective of fuel usage and emission levels. The results show that load adjustments according to the optimization model can considerably increase fuel economy and contribute to the reduction of CO2 and NOx compared to standard practice at the equal load in different ship operating modes. Our approach introduces an innovative optimization concept that has been proven to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions beyond standard practices. This paper demonstrates the robustness of the model in balancing environmental and operational objectives and presents an effective approach for more sustainable and efficient ship operations. The results are in line with global sustainability efforts and provide valuable insights for future innovations in energy optimization and ship emission control.
DA - 2025/01//
PY - 2025
PB - MDPI
VL - 18
IS - 3
SP - 485
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/3/485
DO - 10.3390/en18030485
LA - English
KW - Unspecified Feedstock
KW - Methane (Natural Gas)
KW - Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO)
KW - Marine Diesel Oil (MDO)
KW - Unspecified Pathway
KW - Engine Testing and Performance
KW - Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) and Air Emissions
KW - Ocean-going Vessels
ER -