Japan Is Clear that Hydrogen Is Not the Future: New Fuel and Engine Generation Unveiled to the World

by Edwin O. (EcoNews/ECOticias) ... Toyota, in collaboration with China’s Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), has unveiled a groundbreaking alternative: the engine plausibly runs on ammonia using an internal combustion engine.

Ammonia Engine Unveiled: Cleaner Combustion Process for a Greener Future

The proposed prototype engine of Toyota and GAC is a radical change in the development of motors mainly driven by fossil fuels. It is a flammable, environment-friendly fuel that can be obtained by liquidizing ammonia (NH3) and possibly mixing other ingredients to form a perpetual fuel blend.

The idea behind this is to utilize ammonia as energy-dense fuel at the same time, which, when burned, releases negligible amounts of carbon dioxide—the 2.0-liter electronic control four-cylinder engine delivering an estimated 161 horsepower is said to be 90% less harmful to the environment than ordinary gasoline engines. This development may pave the way for the first ammonia-fueled passenger car ever, thus presenting new horizons in the field of ecologically sound transport.

Ammonia is another promising candidate for an alternative fuel due to its components and, to some degree, the positive environmental impact. Ammonia is an excellent compound for replacing carbon because it is chemically composed of one nitrogen atom and three hydrogen atoms (NH3). The fact that it is used in agricultural and manufacturing industries implies that the production infrastructure to support its acceptance is partly in place.

Some of the issues which affect the utilization of ammonia as a personal vehicle’s fuel include the following: First, ammonia synthesis is an energy-intensive process, and, therefore, one can speak about the positive environmental impact of ammonia only if referring to the clean energy electricity, generated from wind or solar power. Secondly, ammonia is a toxic chemical and has the potential to burn.

Finally, it is highly corrosive and therefore, it is not safe to transport or store for long because it can act on practically all forms of metals. These factors make it challenging to widely adopt ammonia, or NH3, as a fuel for passenger cars. It would require the establishment of a new ammonia fuel supply chain, which means significant long-term investment along with complex planning processes.

Eligibility Criteria: If These Challenges Are Overcome, Ammonia Could be the Future

The development of ammonia engines illustrates that Toyota has not abandoned the search for new solutions in the car industry other than battery-powered electric vehicles. This approach is more consistent with Toyota’s past accomplishments in hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. The idea behind the ammonia engine project and its further development needs to be clarified regarding the possible existence of sustainable transport and its possible multiple technological developments. READ MORE

Excerpt from EcoNews/ECOticias: Despite Windship Technology initially relying on wind power as the dominant type of propulsion, it then moved to ammonia as the marine fuel, which sparked interest among major players and raised questions about the safety of such a fuel as well as its efficiency. In particular, the above-discussed reorientation of LNG as a fuel for VLCCs has raised questions within the industry about the feasibility of ammonia as a sustainable marine fuel and possible difficulties in its implementation.

Windship Technology’s Futuristic Design: Zero Emissions and Solar Arrays Combined

For Windship Technology, the design incorporates a triple wing rig alongside a diesel-electric ship drive, which will eventually mean the ship will be capable of emitting zero CO2, NOx, SOx, and particulate matter. The design of the vessel, which is also futuristic, contains large solar arrays, carbon capture technology, optimized shapes of the hulls, and specialized software for routing the weather.

This windship is one of the most significant research highlights; it exhibits a Windship Technology rig with a height of 48 meters which folds on deck making it easy to navigate through ports and handle cargo. The firm asserts that this offers the “only realistic and least expensive zero-emission solution for ocean-going bulk carrier ships and oil tankers.

Ammonia as a Marine Fuel: Exploring the Risks and Rewards of this New Energy Source

It thus shifts focus to the use of liquid ammonia as the marine fuel. Although Windship Technology planned to use wind energy in the main it focuses now on the utilization of ammonia as a marine fuel. This decision explains why the industry is giving attention to ammonia as one of the ways through which decarbonization could be achieved.

However, Windship Technology has collaborated with other industry players to expand into ammonia-powered shipping. A prominent example of such a partnership is the WtI with DNV GL. This major classification society has recently supported Windship Technology in acquiring the new building and will be responsible for verifying the ship’s design.

Moreover, a Korean one which includes the classification society Korean Register, shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean, aerospace and industrial company Hanwha Aerospace, and ammonia power solutions firm Amogy have agreed on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will focus on a technical and certification partnership for ammonia reformers and ammonia fuel cell system for application in ships.

These partnerships are additionally an attempt to guarantee the questionability of the ammonia-based systems that are continually tried, certified, and recognized according to universal conventions and norms.

The Future of Maritime Fuel: Will Ammonia Revolutionize the Industry?

Hailed as the ‘Tesla of the Seas,’ the Windship Technology motivates the segment towards the renewal of a cleaner and greener maritime industry. The company claims ammonia is the primary marine fuel, which is also one of the most emerging markets available. Nonetheless, the successful implementation of this technology requires significant proofing, certification, and assessment of the potential hazards incurred with the actual use and storage of ammonia. READ MORE

Japan Is Clear that Hydrogen Is Not the Future: New Fuel and Engine Generation Unveiled to the World

Ammonia Engine Unveiled: Cleaner Combustion Process for a Greener Future

Eligibility Criteria: If These Challenges Are Overcome, Ammonia Could be the Future

Windship Technology’s Futuristic Design: Zero Emissions and Solar Arrays Combined

Ammonia as a Marine Fuel: Exploring the Risks and Rewards of this New Energy Source

The Future of Maritime Fuel: Will Ammonia Revolutionize the Industry?

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