Computational Analysis of an Ammonia Combustion System for Future Two-Stroke Low-Speed Marine Engines

Ammonia, being 17.6% hydrogen by mass, is regarded as a hydrogen carrier and carbon-free fuel as long as its production methods rely on renewable energy sources. The production and combustion of green ammonia do not generate carbon dioxide, offering a promising avenue for substantial reductions in g...

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Main Authors: Jose R. Serrano, Ricardo Novella, Héctor Climent, Francisco José Arnau, Alejandro Calvo, Lauge Thorsen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/1/39
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author Jose R. Serrano
Ricardo Novella
Héctor Climent
Francisco José Arnau
Alejandro Calvo
Lauge Thorsen
author_facet Jose R. Serrano
Ricardo Novella
Héctor Climent
Francisco José Arnau
Alejandro Calvo
Lauge Thorsen
author_sort Jose R. Serrano
collection DOAJ
description Ammonia, being 17.6% hydrogen by mass, is regarded as a hydrogen carrier and carbon-free fuel as long as its production methods rely on renewable energy sources. The production and combustion of green ammonia do not generate carbon dioxide, offering a promising avenue for substantial reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a well-to-wake perspective. This paper presents a comprehensive methodology for the development and validation of a thermodynamic model for a two-stroke low-speed marine engine incorporating a hybrid ammonia-diesel diffusion combustion system. The simulation tools are rigorously validated using experimental data obtained during diesel operation. Subsequently, the study explores various aspects of the novel ammonia-diesel combustion system, addressing combustion and emissions characteristics. The investigation incorporates diverse simulation scenarios involving direct fuel injection through dedicated valves into the cylinder head of a six-cylinder, turbocharged compression-ignition engine. The engine features two diesel injection valves, employed to initiate the combustion process, and two ammonia injection valves. Simulation scenarios include variations in the injection timing of the pilot diesel injector and the relative orientation of diesel and ammonia sprays. Case C emerges as the preferred configuration, demonstrating superior metrics in terms of combustion stability, air-fuel mixing, and emissions profile compared to other cases. The results indicate a reduction of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions of approximately 95% in mass compared to the baseline diesel operation. Furthermore, notable reductions in NO<sub>x</sub> emissions are observed, preliminarily attributed to the lower flame temperature of ammonia. Despite the appearance of N<sub>2</sub>O emissions as a result of ammonia oxidation, the overall potential reduction in GHG emissions, in CO<sub>2</sub>-equivalent terms, exceeds 85% at selected operating points. This work contributes valuable insights into the optimization of cleaner propulsion systems for maritime applications, facilitating the industry’s transition toward more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
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series Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
spelling doaj-art-1963d74959cc4ff0ae6cba983c2a47892025-01-24T13:36:38ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122024-12-011313910.3390/jmse13010039Computational Analysis of an Ammonia Combustion System for Future Two-Stroke Low-Speed Marine EnginesJose R. Serrano0Ricardo Novella1Héctor Climent2Francisco José Arnau3Alejandro Calvo4Lauge Thorsen5CMT-Clean Mobility & Thermofluids, Universitat Politècnica de València, 6D-UPV, Camí de Vera, S/N, 46022 Valencia, SpainCMT-Clean Mobility & Thermofluids, Universitat Politècnica de València, 6D-UPV, Camí de Vera, S/N, 46022 Valencia, SpainCMT-Clean Mobility & Thermofluids, Universitat Politècnica de València, 6D-UPV, Camí de Vera, S/N, 46022 Valencia, SpainCMT-Clean Mobility & Thermofluids, Universitat Politècnica de València, 6D-UPV, Camí de Vera, S/N, 46022 Valencia, SpainWärtsilä Services Switzerland Ltd., Schlossmühlestrasse 9, 8500 Frauenfeld, SwitzerlandWärtsilä Services Switzerland Ltd., Schlossmühlestrasse 9, 8500 Frauenfeld, SwitzerlandAmmonia, being 17.6% hydrogen by mass, is regarded as a hydrogen carrier and carbon-free fuel as long as its production methods rely on renewable energy sources. The production and combustion of green ammonia do not generate carbon dioxide, offering a promising avenue for substantial reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a well-to-wake perspective. This paper presents a comprehensive methodology for the development and validation of a thermodynamic model for a two-stroke low-speed marine engine incorporating a hybrid ammonia-diesel diffusion combustion system. The simulation tools are rigorously validated using experimental data obtained during diesel operation. Subsequently, the study explores various aspects of the novel ammonia-diesel combustion system, addressing combustion and emissions characteristics. The investigation incorporates diverse simulation scenarios involving direct fuel injection through dedicated valves into the cylinder head of a six-cylinder, turbocharged compression-ignition engine. The engine features two diesel injection valves, employed to initiate the combustion process, and two ammonia injection valves. Simulation scenarios include variations in the injection timing of the pilot diesel injector and the relative orientation of diesel and ammonia sprays. Case C emerges as the preferred configuration, demonstrating superior metrics in terms of combustion stability, air-fuel mixing, and emissions profile compared to other cases. The results indicate a reduction of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions of approximately 95% in mass compared to the baseline diesel operation. Furthermore, notable reductions in NO<sub>x</sub> emissions are observed, preliminarily attributed to the lower flame temperature of ammonia. Despite the appearance of N<sub>2</sub>O emissions as a result of ammonia oxidation, the overall potential reduction in GHG emissions, in CO<sub>2</sub>-equivalent terms, exceeds 85% at selected operating points. This work contributes valuable insights into the optimization of cleaner propulsion systems for maritime applications, facilitating the industry’s transition toward more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/1/39ammonia combustion systemdiffusion combustiontwo-stroke marine enginescomputational modelgreenhouse gas emissions
spellingShingle Jose R. Serrano
Ricardo Novella
Héctor Climent
Francisco José Arnau
Alejandro Calvo
Lauge Thorsen
Computational Analysis of an Ammonia Combustion System for Future Two-Stroke Low-Speed Marine Engines
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
ammonia combustion system
diffusion combustion
two-stroke marine engines
computational model
greenhouse gas emissions
title Computational Analysis of an Ammonia Combustion System for Future Two-Stroke Low-Speed Marine Engines
title_full Computational Analysis of an Ammonia Combustion System for Future Two-Stroke Low-Speed Marine Engines
title_fullStr Computational Analysis of an Ammonia Combustion System for Future Two-Stroke Low-Speed Marine Engines
title_full_unstemmed Computational Analysis of an Ammonia Combustion System for Future Two-Stroke Low-Speed Marine Engines
title_short Computational Analysis of an Ammonia Combustion System for Future Two-Stroke Low-Speed Marine Engines
title_sort computational analysis of an ammonia combustion system for future two stroke low speed marine engines
topic ammonia combustion system
diffusion combustion
two-stroke marine engines
computational model
greenhouse gas emissions
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/1/39
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