Ammonia explored as a carbon free automotive fuel - but challenges remain
Thank you for choosing Automatic Translation. Currently we are offering translations from English into French and German, with more translation languages to be added in the near future. Please be aware that these translations are generated by a third party AI software service. While we have found that the translations are mostly correct, they may not be perfect in every case. To ensure the information you read is correct, please refer to the original article in English. If you find an error in a translation which you would like to bring to our attention, it would help us greatly if you let us know. We can correct any text or section, once we are aware of it. Please do not hesitate to contact our webmaster to let us know of any translation errors.
A recent article on ECO News discusses a potentially groundbreaking development by scientists at the University of Michigan, who have explored the possibilities of ammonia as a potential zero-emission automottive fuel.
However, challenges remain.
Unlike hydrogen or electricity, ammonia is claimed to offer a sustainable energy solution with high energy density and zero carbon emissions.
According to researchers, it can be used in internal combustion engines and other applications, making it a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
However, challenges like flammability and energy-intensive production methods is currently standing ion the way of practical applications in vehicles.
Already in 2022, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) developed strategies for using ammonia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines, achieving overall reductions of up to 50% to 60% in lab tests.
In two papers published in Fuel Journal of the Science and Technology of Fuel and Energy in April and May 2022, the NRC team investigated the performance of a heavy-duty diesel engine running on an ammonia–diesel fuel mix.
According to an article from NRC, published in November 2023, ammonia ranks among the top 10 most commonly produced industrial chemicals.
The NRC article highlights the fact that as gas at room temperature and pressure, ammonia holds notable advantages over hydrogen in terms of storage and transport. Ammonia can be compressed and liquefied at relatively low pressures, making handling much simpler. Moreover, its energy density is nearly double that of hydrogen, adding to its appeal as a potential clean energy solution.
Safety risks, toxicity and the potential for stronger greenhouse effect
Despite its promise as a carbon-free fuel, ammonia has also faced significant engineering challenges in achieving diesel-like efficiency. Its corrosive and toxic properties, even at low concentrations, pose safety risks.
When burned, ammonia produces harmful by-products such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to acid rain, and nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas.
Additionally, its slow flame propagation speed and narrow flammability range mean that a considerable amount of ammonia can go unburned in engines, reducing its efficiency.
Ammonia is also corrosive to many metals.
Photo credit:
Liquid ammonia bottle. Wikipedia Commons License.
Photo by Nadina Wiórkiewicz pl.wiki: Nadine90 commons: Nadine90