Finnish technology group Wärtsilä has started testing ammonia as a potential fuel to help the shipping industry reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.....MORE
“The first tests have yielded promising results and we will continue to optimise combustion parameters,” said Kaj Portin, General Manager, Fuel & Operational Flexibility, Wärtsilä Marine. “This is an important step in making sure that Wärtsilä can provide the engine and fuel systems that ship owners need, whichever fuel they choose in the future.”
As part of the tests, ammonia was injected into a combustion research unit to better understand its properties. Based on initial results, the tests will continue on both dual-fuel and spark-ignited gas engines, followed by field tests in collaboration with shipowners from 2022, says Wärtsilä. Tests may also be carried out with energy customers in the future.
The use of ammonia has emerged as a possible carbon-free alternative fuel as the shipping industry seeks ways to meet with International Maritime Organization’s long-term goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions from ships by 50% from 2008 levels by 2050. Although ammonia is derived mainly from fossil sources today, down the road ammonia’s greenhouse gas footprint can be nearly eliminated if it is produced using electricity from renewable sources.
Wärtsilä is aiming to develop a complete ammonia fuel solution that comprises engines, fuel supply and storage....
We have dozens of posts on ammonia (carrier for the hydrogen) and hydrogen (carrier for the energy).
Some that may be of interest:
Energy: "'Green' Ammonia's Future as a Marine Fuel"
This Could Be A Big Deal: Norway's Yara and the Australian Nitrogen Economy
"A Major Existential Threat Is Arising For Natural Gas"
...One approach NH3 - ammonia - three hydrogens attached to a nitrogen:
Credit: This Condensed Life
Feb. 2019
Shipping: "UK Department of Transport recommends launch of ammonia / hydrogen powered vessels within 5-15 years"
Ammonia, it's what everyone is talking about.
And if your crowd isn't, you'll be the best-informed next-gen energy storage/transport-medium connoisseur at the Thursday afternoon salon!
Feb. 2019
Electricity: Here Come The Big Batteries
This is a very tricky time for end users weighing their options for long-lived energy storage infrastructure.
This article focuses on lithium ion batteries but there are a couple other battery technologies that work for large scale uses that don't work for vehicle applications, see links below.
Additionally the use of ammonia (for the hydrogen) as an energy storage medium is being persued by some very big players, Yara, Siemens, and the U.S. ARPA-E researchers to name just three.
And as Australia is finding out with their giant Tesla lithium battery, the things don't work so well in extreme heat. Ditto for extreme cold as the owners of electric vehicles found during the recent polar vortex experience....
And many, many more.
Use the 'search blog' box if interested.
