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What We Did
UC scholars conducted a systematic study with high-calibred researchers on burning ammonia/hydrogen for power generation and aero-engines to achieve 0% CO2 emission. CO2 emissions from energy-related industries play a dominant role in heating our planet. To support the climate protection in Pacific island nation, New Zealand commits the country to being carbon neutral by 2050. This looks like quite challenging, since fossil (hydrocarbon) fuel won’t disappear soon due to its extremely high power-density. Unlike hydrocarbon fuel, ammonia (NH3) with a relative high ignition temperature is an alternative but promising carbon-free fuel. As a renewable source, ammonia may contribute the reduction the greenhouse gas CO2 emission in energy and propulsion sectors, in addition to the renewable energy (hydropower, wind, geothermal, tidal) use. Ammonia (NH3) is toxic and smells soul-one nitrogen atom bonded to 3 hydrogen atoms. However, it has a number of attractive features, such as easier to transport and distribute. It can also be converted back into hydrogen and nitrogen. UC research team led by Dan is chasing an ‘ammonia energy economy’ in power generation and propulsion industries. It is just a beginning in New Zealand.
Who Was Involved
Environment Canterbury Regional Council, Rolls Royce plc, Numi Ltd, Royal Aeronautical Society, National Research Foundation-Prime Minister’s Office Singapore.
Why It Matters
CO2 contributes to heating our lovely home planet. To dramatically reduce CO2 emissions from energy and propulsion sectors, the conventional hydrocarbon fuel needs to be replaced with a renewable one, such as ammonia. It is believed by the UC researchers that carbon neutral by 2050 is achievable with ammonia or ammonia blended with hydrogen efficiently burnt, and the increase used of renewable energy.
Learn More
- Sun, YZ., Zhao, D., (2021). Thermal performance and NOx emission characteristics Studies on a premixed methane-ammonia-fueled micro-planar combustor, Fuel, 291, 120190.
- Sun, YZ., Zhao, D., (2021). RANS simulations on combustion and emission characteristics of a premixed NH3/H2 swirling flame with reduced chemical kinetic model, Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, DOI: 10.1016/J.CJA.2020.11.017.
- Cai, T., & Zhao, D. (2020). Effects of fuel composition and wall thermal conductivity on thermal and NOx emission performances of an ammonia/hydrogen-oxygen micro-power system. Fuel Processing Technology, 209, 106527.
- Cai, T., Zhao, D., Wang, B., Li, J., & Guan, Y. (2020). NOx emission and thermal performances studies on premixed ammonia-oxygen combustion in a CO2-free micro-planar combustor. Fuel, 280, 118554.
- Ni, S., Zhao, D., Wu, W., & Guan, Y. (2020). NOx emission reduction reaction of ammonia-hydrogen with self-sustained pulsating oscillations. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress, 19, 100615.
- Zhao, D, Guan Y, Reinecke, A, (2019), Characterizing hydrogen-fuelled pulsating combustion on thermodynamic properties of a combustor, Communications Physics (Nature), 2, 44.
