The Rise of Ammonia as a Low-Carbon Fuel in Maritime Shipping
Key Ideas
  • Ammonia emerges as a promising low-carbon fuel in maritime shipping, outperforming hydrogen and battery power in terms of energy density and storage.
  • Research on ammonia as an engine fuel has intensified in the 21st century due to its renewable and carbon-free nature, despite challenges like ignition temperature and flame velocity.
  • Dual fuel compression ignition methods have been explored to optimize ammonia combustion in engines, with promising results in reducing NOX emissions.
  • Studies on ammonia spark ignition, multi-spark ignition, and thermochemical fuel reforming show potential for improving combustion speed and efficiency in ammonia-powered engines.
With the alarming rise in global greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in the maritime sector, the need for decarbonization has never been more urgent. Ammonia has emerged as a frontrunner in the quest for low-carbon shipping energy sources, surpassing hydrogen and battery power due to its superior energy density, storage capabilities, and robustness. Research on utilizing ammonia as a fuel for engines dates back to the 1960s, primarily for military purposes, but gained renewed interest in the 21st century amidst growing concerns about climate change. The challenges of ammonia as a fuel, such as high ignition temperatures and slow flame velocities, have spurred innovative solutions like dual fuel compression ignition methods. These methods have shown promise in optimizing ammonia combustion and reducing harmful NOX emissions. Recent studies have delved into various ignition methods for ammonia, including spark ignition, multi-spark ignition, and thermochemical fuel reforming, showcasing potential improvements in combustion speed and efficiency in engines powered by ammonia. While obstacles like slow flame speed have been identified in the combustion of ammonia in engines designed for LNG, ongoing research aims to overcome these challenges and maximize the potential of ammonia as a sustainable and environmentally friendly fuel for maritime shipping.
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