Sanlorenzo, Nanni Industries and Ranieri Tonissi joined forces with Life Mystic project for a more responsible future
The member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have decided to adopt the IMO’s 2023 strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships. Under this strategy, net greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime sector are to be achieved by 2050, rather than by 2100 as was originally planned.
In light of these neutrality goals, the yachting industry is actively seeking environmentally friendly solutions. It is within this context that the Life Mystic project is being developed, a collaboration between Sanlorenzo, Nanni, MAN engines and Ranieri Tonissi, aimed at introducing innovative technologies to gradually reduce carbon emissions from yachts.
Life Mystic: A project that envisions the future of sustainable yachting
The Life Mystic project embodies Sanlorenzo, Nanni, MAN Engines and Ranieri Tonissi’s vision for more sustainable and environmentally friendly navigation. Through its experience, Nanni wanted to demonstrate that it is possible to combine performance and ecological responsibility in the yachting industry.
The use of methanol for propulsion in low-speed two-stroke engines has already been studied on large professional vessels, while the applications of methanol in low-speed four-stroke engines are currently being explored in the manufacturing of engines for other maritime applications that have not yet been tested on yachts and superyachts.
This is how Sanlorenzo’s Life Mystic project was selected, with the support of the European Union. It consists of two MAN high-speed four-stroke diesel engines, in partnership with Ranieri Tonissi, and two four-stroke diesel generators developed by Nanni, modernized for dual-fuel operation on board.
This approach aims to inspire all stakeholders in the industry, who will sooner or later have to commit to energy transition.
Photo credit: Frederic Scheidemann
Innovative techniques with dual injection
The Life Mystic project stands out for the implementation of a dual injection system, which allows Nanni engines to switch between methanol and diesel. This flexibility offers a gradual transition to methanol, reducing supply-related risks. Inspired by existing methanol tank and distribution systems in professional vessels such as the STENA GERMANICA, Nanni’s team designed this system to optimize energy efficiency while maintaining performance comparable to traditional engines, now for pleasure vessels.
The design of a conversion kit for dual-fuel engines involves a meticulous engineering process to ensure the efficient and reliable combustion of two different fuels in a single engine, while ensuring a smooth and seamless transition to diesel-only operation at any time, making these engines a perfect solution for a transitioning market. The design takes into account the following:
- The distribution of methanol in the engine;
- The methanol injection system to precisely control the injection into each cylinder’s intake ports with the correct timing and amount;
- The alignment of the existing diesel injection system with the addition of fuel to the mixture;
- The ignition system: Diesel/methanol engines will use compression ignition provided by both fuels (diesel and methanol, respectively), with diesel acting as the pilot fuel.
The Life Mystic dual injection system allows up to 80% methanol in the mixture.
When the methanol tank is empty, the engine automatically switches back to diesel without interruption, ensuring continuous navigation. Inspired by the principle of ethanol boxes for cars, this system includes a second methanol-specific injection circuit integrated into the cylinder head for optimal vaporization. The more efficient the injection jet, the cleaner the combustion, thus reducing the pollution rate.
Sanlorenzo will update the superyacht’s design by converting two tanks from traditional diesel to methanol, in compliance with applicable regulations.
Photo credit: Sanlorenzo
Methanol: A promising alternative to reduce emissions
Methanol, known for its ecological properties, represents a viable alternative to marine diesel. As a clean fuel, methanol emits fewer greenhouse gases and particulates, while sulfur is completely erased. It is also safer, as it biodegrades easily in the event of a spill. With a potentially renewable production cycle, methanol could enable yachts to operate more sustainably while maintaining high performance.
Already available in over 100 ports worldwide, methanol, when produced from renewable energy sources, becomes a carbon-neutral fuel, promoting a strategy for net reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Concrete and measurable results for the environment
Thanks to this advancement, Life Mystic aims to reduce its CO₂ emissions by 150 tons per year, its primary fossil energy consumption by 700 MWh per year, and air quality contaminants by 630 kg/year. These figures concretely demonstrate the impact of methanol on the environmental footprint of a yacht, highlighting the importance of this technology in the industry.
Photo credit: Sanlorenzo
