2025_9_Powertrain_International

ALTERNATIVE BOATS
#SANLORENZO #MANENGINES #RANIERITONISSI #NANNI
LIFE MYSTIC PROJECT
DUAL-FUEL
DIESEL AND
METHANOL
Mikael Lindner, Head of MAN Engines: “At MAN Engines, we are committed to
simplifying our customers’ business through leading sustainable solutions. The use
of alternative fuels, hybrid and battery technologies is a central part of our green
transformation. on Scania’s test track, both under the hood of quarry trucks and in
distribution and long-haul vehicles”
When discussing dual-fuel
in the open sea, thoughts
immediately turn to commercial
shipping. On May
10th, 2022, MAN Engines put its first
two dual-fuel hydrogen-powered engines
for workboats into serial operation.
Yanmar received an order for
6EY22ALDF marine dual-fuel engines
for an LNG-fueled large coal
carrier in October 2021. However,
there’s also dual-fuel life on “Planet
Leisure Boats,” as the Life Mystic
project demonstrates. This collaboration
includes a native engine maker
like MAN Engines, a dealer and system
integrator like Ranieri Tonissi, a
player in marinization solutions like
Nanni, and one of Europe’s leading
shipyards, Sanlorenzo. While methanol
propulsion has been explored
The Life Mystic
Project’s core
objective is to
test engines
and generators
for Sanlorenzo
superyachts that
operate on a
combination of
diesel and methanol.
This initiative is a
collaborative effort,
forged through
partnerships with
Ranieri Tonissi, MAN
Engines, and Nanni
in low-speed two-stroke engines
for large commercial vessels -such
as this by Everllence and the China
Classification Society, its application
in low-speed four-stroke engines for
other maritime uses is still under development
and hasn’t yet reached the
yacht and superyacht segment. AS
Labruna’s PB series range extenders,
equipped with methanol fuel cells, are
among the few innovative projects for
recreational vessels. This is precisely
where Sanlorenzo’s Life Mystic project,
supported by the European Union,
steps in as a pioneering initiative.
The project incorporates two MAN
high-speed four-stroke diesel engines,
developed in partnership with Ranieri
Tonissi, along with two four-stroke
diesel generators developed by Nanni.
Crucially, all these power units are
being modernized for dual-fuel operation.What
truly distinguishes Life
Mystic is its implementation of a dual
injection system, enabling the Nanni
engines to seamlessly switch between
methanol and diesel. This flexibility
is a game-changer, facilitating a
gradual transition to methanol and
mitigating potential risks associated
with fuel supply. Drawing inspiration
from established methanol tank and
distribution systems found in professional
vessels like the Stena Germanica,
Nanni’s team has engineered this
system for pleasure vessels. The goal
is to optimize energy efficiency while
ensuring performance comparable
to traditional engines. Developing a
conversion kit for dual-fuel engines
demands meticulous engineering. The
goal is to guarantee efficient and reliable
combustion of two distinct fuels
within a single engine, all while
allowing for a smooth and immediate
transition back to diesel-only operation
at any given moment. The development
of bi-fuel adaptation kits
requires a meticulously engineered
process to ensure both efficiency and
reliability in the combustion of two
different fuel types within a single
engine. This is particularly crucial as
it must guarantee a seamless and safe
transition to diesel-only operation at
any time. The design specifically addresses
the following aspects:
Methanol engine distribution: Optimizing
how methanol is supplied to
the engine.
Methanol injection system: Precisely
controlling the timing and quantity of
methanol injected into the intake ports
of each cylinder.
Adaptation of existing Diesel injectors:
Modifying current diesel injectors
to accommodate the additional
fuel (methanol).
Ignition system: The diesel/methanol
engines will utilize compression ignition
for both fuels, with diesel acting
as the pilot fuel.
Rigorous technical tests will be conducted
to ensure the reliability and efficiency
of the prototypes before their
onboard installation. Sanlorenzo will
be responsible for adapting the vessel’s
design. This includes converting
the two traditional diesel fuel tanks
into methanol tanks and integrating
the distribution system with additional
lines and instrumentation, thereby
completing the boat’s bi-fuel conversion.
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