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Using Ammonia as Fuel

Using Ammonia as Fuel

Ammonia, NH₃, is a chemical compound composed of one nitrogen atom and three hydrogen atoms. Not only does it transport hydrogen efficiently, but it also does not emit CO₂ when burned, making it a promising next-generation clean energy source that can help reduce climate change.
The IHI Group is cultivating its combustion technologies for thermal power generation to develop power generation technology using ammonia as a fuel. In addition, we are currently engaging in a demonstration project^* aimed at developing vessels equipped with domestically produced ammonia-fuel engines. We are also preparing the infrastructure for more widespread use of ammonia as a fuel by constructing a complete ammonia value chain from production to consumption.

Subsidized by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and launched in December 2021, the project to develop ships that run on domestically produced ammonia-fuel engines is a collaboration of NYK Line, Japan Engine Corporation, IHI Power Systems, Nihon Shipyard, and the Nippon Kaiji Kyokai.

Carbon Dioxide-free Power Generation Using Ammonia

While transitioning to carbon neutrality, we will reduce our CO₂ emissions by burning ammonia as part of the fuel. Our ultimate objective is to exclusively use ammonia as a fuel source for thermal power and gas turbine power generation with zero CO₂ emissions.

Generating Energy by Using Ammonia for Fuel

Demonstrating the world’s first large-scale commercial coal-fired power generator using 20% ammonia fuel

Since June 2021, IHI has been working in tandem with JERA Co., Inc. to demonstrate “Development of Technologies for Carbon Recycling and Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation/Research, Development, and Demonstration of Technologies for Ammonia Co-Firing Thermal Power Generation,” a project subsidized by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). Under this project, the world’s first demonstration testing of large-volume fuel ammonia substitution for a large-scale commercial coal-fired power generator was conducted at Hekinan Thermal Power Station Unit 4 from April 1, 2024. On April 10, a 20% substitution of fuel ammonia for operation of rated output of one million kW has been achieved successfully.
IHI will apply the knowledges gained through the demonstration test to establish a combustion technology that increases the ammonia ratio to more than 50% at thermal power plants and develop burners for 100% ammonia combustion.

JERA Hekinan Thermal Power Station, site of the test project in Hekinan, Aichi Prefecture (Image courtesy of JERA)

Toward the commercialization of gas turbines using 100% ammonia

As commissioned by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), IHI has been working to develop the technology for a 2,000 kW-class gas turbine that achieves combustion with natural gas by directly spraying liquid ammonia into the combustion chamber. In June 2022, we succeeded in achieving the world’s first 100% combustion of liquid ammonia, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 99% during combustion.
IHI aims to commercialize ammonia-dedicated gas turbines by 2026.

IHI 2,000 kW-class gas turbine used in this research (at the IHI Yokohama Works)

Ammonia Value Chain

Worldwide ammonia production amounted to roughly 200 million tons in 2019. The vast majority of ammonia, however, is consumed locally, as only about 20 million tons were traded on global markets. This means that if the major Japanese electric power companies were to adopt 20% ammonia combustion at their thermal power plants, they would need some 20 million tons of ammonia^* annually.
Ammonia is currently widely used as a raw material for fertilizers and chemical products, but the volume is relatively small. When the power generation industry begins increasing ammonia consumption, a full infrastructure will be needed not just for mass production but also for transport and storage, much like the distribution network for LNG.
The IHI Group will be involved in various processes in the ammonia value chain from production to use, including developing carbon-free manufacturing technologies and engineering and constructing liquid ammonia receiving sites.

Source: FY2020 Annual Report on Energy (Energy White Paper 2021)

Vision of the fuel ammonia value chain business

CCS: Carbon dioxide capture and storage
EOR: Enhanced oil recovery

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