Volume 13, Issue 2 2301008
Research Article

The Ammonia Combustion Engine for Future Power Generation Applications

Nicole Wermuth

Corresponding Author

Nicole Wermuth

Large Engines Competence Center, Inffeldgasse 19, 8010 Graz, Austria

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Christof Gumhold

Christof Gumhold

Large Engines Competence Center, Inffeldgasse 19, 8010 Graz, Austria

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Andreas Wimmer

Andreas Wimmer

Large Engines Competence Center, Inffeldgasse 19, 8010 Graz, Austria

Institute of Thermodynamics and Sustainable Propulsion Systems, Graz University of Technology, Technical University Graz, Inffeldgasse 19, 8010 Graz, Austria

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Michael Url

Michael Url

INNIO Jenbacher GmbH & Co OG, Achenseestraße 1-3, 6200 Jenbach, Austria

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Stephan Laiminger

Stephan Laiminger

INNIO Jenbacher GmbH & Co OG, Achenseestraße 1-3, 6200 Jenbach, Austria

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First published: 17 December 2023
Citations: 3

Abstract

Energy storage is one of the big challenges for the energy transition and ammonia as a hydrogen carrier is considered a promising candidate for efficient and medium- to long-term chemical storage. Gas engines are well suited for power generation using ammonia as a carbon-free fuel, making it unnecessary to convert ammonia back to hydrogen for the utilization in the power plant. This study investigates operating strategies for a prechamber combustion concept for a large-bore gas engine suitable for power generation applications. To overcome the high ignition energy and low laminar flame speed of ammonia, different quantities of hydrogen as a promoting agent to improve the combustion properties of ammonia have been employed in the experimental investigations on a single-cylinder research engine. The combustion concept shows a wide operating range with stable and robust combustion from 0.3 to 2.5 MPa indicated mean effective pressure and will be transferred to a multicylinder engine for the first combined heat and power demonstration.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

Research data are not shared.

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