Wärtsilä embarks on ammonia testing programme
Wärtsilä’s testing of ammonia as a viable fuel for shipping and energy sector applications, is part of its future fuels development programme (Source: Wärtsilä)
Technology group Wärtsilä has begun tests on ammonia as a marine fuel using both dual-fuel and spark-ignited gas engines in a move to raise understanding of its combustion properties. After the initial tests have been carried out, the company hopes to conduct field tests in collaboration with shipowners from 2022, followed potentially by tests with the group’s energy customers.
Kaj Portin, Wärtsilä Marine’s general manager, Fuel & Operational Flexibility, said: “The first tests have yielded promising results and we will continue to optimise combustion parameters. This is an important step in making sure that Wärtsilä can provide the engine and fuel systems that shipowners need, whichever fuel they choose in the future.ˮ Most ammonia is derived today from fossil sources but, in the future, green ammonia will be produced using renewable electricity. It is potentially a zero-carbon fuel, therefore, with major potential to assist in shipping’s decarbonisation process over the next three decades.
Wärtsilä is currently assessing the potential of various future fuels including synthetic methane, ammonia, hydrogen and methanol. Its aim is to provide customers with complete flexibility across engines and fuels.
