IHI Corporation received the 2024 Technology Award from The Combustion Society of Japan in recognition of its distinguished contributions to R&D in applied combustion technology. In addition, IHI, together with JERA co., Inc., has been honored with the JSME Award (Technology) from The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers. This award, aiming to encourage the advancement of mechanical engineering and industry in Japan, is presented to technologies that demonstrate superior excellence and contribute to the economy and society through productivity.

The awards recognize the successful demonstration of a large-scale fuel ammonia conversion test (20% heat input ration) at Unit 4 of the Hekinan Thermal Power Station in fiscal 2024. The project achieved favorable outcomes across key evaluation criteria, including combustibility (including stability and NOx emission concentration), plant operability, and safety. This achievement was recognized for demonstrating the feasibility of implementing 20% fuel ammonia conversion in thermal power systems as a means of achieving decarbonization.

Since the mid-2010s, IHI has focused on developing ammonia combustion technologies. In fiscal 2017 and 2018, the company studied the feasibility of ammonia combustion in existing coal-fired power station boilers under the Cabinet Office’s Strategic Innovation Promotion Program. From fiscal 2019, IHI received support from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) for preliminary studies to prepare for demonstration tests (see note 1). IHI drew on findings from those efforts to start collaborating with JERA from fiscal 2021 on a NEDO-subsidiized project to demonstrate 20% ammonia combustion at the Hekinan Thermal Power Station (note 2). The testing at Unit 4 proved successful upon its completion in fiscal 2024. Following this result, JERA is preparing for the social implementation of 20% ammonia firing, and IHI will provide its full support.


IHI is contributing to the establishment of standards and regulations for the safe use of ammonia as a fuel, an unprecedented approach. Through these efforts, the company aims to support the early adoption of fuel ammonia and contribute to building a robust societal framework for its safe use.

Notes
1. Research and development on multi-burner ammonia co-firing technology for pulverized coal boiler (NEDO commissioned project)
2. Demonstration study of 20% ammonia co-firing at a one-gigawatt coal-fired power plant (NEDO subsidized project)


Related news release
June 26, 2024 – IHI and JERA Complete Fuel Ammonia Substitution Demonstration Testing at Hekinan Thermal Power Station
https://www.ihi.co.jp/en/all_news/2024/resources_energy_environment/1200954_13691.html

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