Ammonia Advances

Taking a well-to-wake approach to CO2 emissions means that the shipping industry will look beyond emerging engine technologies such as dual-fuel ammonia engines when considering the viability of alternative fuels.

Engine manufacturers are optimizing combustion and reducing pilot fuel requirements, but any pilot diesel requirements mean the process is not 100% carbon free.

This week, Hanwha Power Systems, Hanwha Ocean and Baker Hughes announced a different concept. The companies agreed to design and produce low carbon ammonia gas turbines capable of 100% ammonia combustion. The systems are expected to be ready by 2028.

That still leaves the question of the emissions generated in the production of ammonia - will green ammonia be available for shipping’s decarbonization?

The answer to that is changing, largely in response to the quest for green fertilizer rather than green fuel.

Ammonia is the most widely produced chemical in the world today, and it is also the highest source of greenhouse gas emissions compared to other chemical production processes. The push for greener agriculture is fostering change.

The standard method for making ammonia is the Haber-Bosch process, which was developed in Germany in the early 20th century. It’s a high-pressure high-temperature process. Developments