NH3-Stat

NH3-Stat -Investigation of NH3-operated stationarysystems
plants with regard to critical pollutant emissions, GHG impact, health hazards and
potential for exhaust gas aftertreatment; sub-project: Engine-catalystco-optimisation
of NH3-fuelled stationary plants.

LOGE is the coordinator and a project partner in the joint project "Investigation of NH3-operated stationary plants with regard to critical pollutant emissions, GHG impact, health hazards and potential for exhaust gas aftertreatment" (in short: "NH3-Stat"). The joint project, funded with around 3.5 million euros as part of the 7th Energy Research Program "Innovations for the Energy Transition" of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK), aims to investigate the exhaust emissions of various operating modes of ammonia-powered engines. The consortium consisting of LOGE Deutschland GmbH (LOGE), the Research Centre for Internal Combustion Engines and Thermodynamics Rostock GmbH (FVTR), PhotonionGmbH and the Chairs of Analytical Chemistry (LAC) and Piston Engines and Internal Combustion Engines (LKV) at the University of Rostock will identify the exhaust gas components and develop suitable measurement methods and catalytic exhaust gas aftertreatment options, among other things.

Ammonia is seen as a hydrogen carrier and therefore as a future energy source. Stationary systems such as gensets will no longer be able to run on fossil natural gas in the future. In addition to green, synthetic natural gas, methanol and hydrogen, green ammonia is a promising alternative fuel. Due to the efficiency advantages of green ammonia in terms of regenerative production and transport, it is increasingly expected to make up a large proportion of the future energy mix. Direct utilisationof ammonia in engines makes sense in terms of overall efficiency compared to prior conversion to hydrogen.

It is still unclear which ammonia combustion processes are suitable and what consequences they have for exhaust gas emissions. This is where the joint project "NH3-Stat" comes in. Two dual-fuel combustion processes currently under discussion, ammonia-diesel and ammonia-hydrogen spark ignition, are being implemented on the LKV test vehicle and the exhaust gas components and effects on the lubricating oil are being analysed. At the same time, common catalytic converter materials are analysedand evaluated for their reduction potential on the FVTR's model gas test bench. At the same time, the engine combustion processes are analysedin detail with the help of 3D CFD simulations. LOGE models and optimisesthe engine process and the catalytic reactions of the exhaust gas aftertreatment using in-house software. Due to the nitrogen-containing fuel ammonia (NH3), carbon-nitrogen (CN) compounds are produced in the combustion process during dual-fuel operation. In order to record these, the LAC is working with Photonionto develop measurement methods to quantify the organic components in the gas and particulate matter. Finally, FVTR will work with the LKV to build a prototype exhaust gas aftertreatment system and demonstrate the potential for reducing pollutants in practical operation.

Depending on the fuel composition (proportion and type of pilot fuel), use of lubricating oil, combustion process and engine load, it can be assumed that different emission patterns occur during the combustion of ammonia. This requires optimisedengine control combined with customisedexhaust gas aftertreatment. As part of its participation in the project, LOGE Deutschland GmbH is developing simulation models that will result in a tool for engine-catalytic converter co-optimisationfor new fuels and fuel combinations in order to enable high engine efficiencies while complying with emission specifications at the lowest possible system costs. On the one hand, co-optimisationmakes it possible to design the exhaust gas aftertreatment system in such a way that the applicable emission limits are complied with under optimum engine operation. On the other hand, the engine control system can be optimisedbased on the existing capabilities of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system.