Ocean-REFuel - Ocean Renewable Energy Fuels
Lead Research Organisation:
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Department Name: Sch of Engineering
Abstract
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Publications
Jano-Ito M
(2024)
Techno-economics of ammonia as an energy carrier. Exporting wind from the North Atlantic Ocean/North Sea to Wales
in Journal of Ammonia Energy
Alnajideen M
(2024)
Ammonia combustion and emissions in practical applications: a review
Alnajideen M
(2024)
Ammonia combustion and emissions in practical applications: a review
in Carbon Neutrality
Valera-Medina A
(2024)
Ammonia combustion in furnaces: A review
in International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Mashruk S
(2024)
Perspectives on NO X Emissions and Impacts from Ammonia Combustion Processes.
in Energy & fuels : an American Chemical Society journal
Al-Moftah A
(2025)
Economic Feasibility of Using Municipal Solid Waste and Date Palm Waste for Clean Energy Production in Qatar
in Energies
| Description | We have identified new methods for the improvement of energy production via ammonia. A recent numerical study suggests that the use of ammonia heat pumps combined with hybrid systems is capable of reaching higher COP values for better efficiencies when employing ammonia. Further, the work suggests that ammonia can be used flexibly to provide also cooling (Summer), fertilizers (Spring) and heat (Autumn and Winter) via recovery of energy from ground sources and boilers. Further, we have also identified several paths to the deployment of hydrogen via liquified H2 or liquified NH3. The techno-economics suggest also the potential of using hydrogen+methane blends into the natural gas grid that can be delivered to ammonia producing sites, hence support long term storage in city gate terminals and ammonia for rural applications. After further analyses, and conducting studies on different scenarios, it was found that liquid hydrogen delivered to the sites could be cheaper as long as the method of production (ie. brown or blue) is competitive. Simultaneously, cracked ammonia tends to be more expensive, whilst uncracked ammonia directly injected in the furnance would provide the lowest cost of application and fuel handling. |
| Exploitation Route | The results from the engine will ensure that future demonstrators account for thermodynamic improvements to raise the final efficiency of ammonia used in ICE unit. Further, the work is also allowing the writing of a new proposal seeking funds to demonstrate the heat pump - boiler hybrid system that can be deployed at the farming level. Finally, the techno-economics promise to deliver a national "Strawman" case that will serve for the analysis and implementation of large scale facilities across the UK. It is anticipated that this will serve as background for a white paper or Royal Society document that will reach policy makers and decision making positions across the industry, the government and academia. |
| Sectors | Chemicals Energy Environment Transport Other |
| URL | https://www.oceanrefuel.ac.uk/ |
| Description | They have provided robust evidence about the use of ammonia vs hydrogen to deliver offshore wind energy to sites not connected to the national grid. Further, preliminary analyses and studies on the use of a bespoke engine suggest that there will be impacts on the use of the ammonia/hydrogen blends, whilst their purity will have contributions to impacts integrity and thermal efficiency, hence opening an interesting area of research for further tests. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Energy |
| Impact Types | Cultural Economic |
| Description | GW-SHIFT: Great Western Supercluster of Hydrogen Impact for Future Technologies |
| Amount | £2,707,041 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/Y023994/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2024 |
| End | 01/2028 |
| Description | Cardiff - Bath Collaboration |
| Organisation | University of Bath |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Cardiff University has provided Bath with the basis to understand the use and storage of ammonia for energy production. We have engaged with Bath to explore their expertise in the analysis of public perspectives, hence supporting the study of the current scenarios across the UK that limit/advance the fuel-switching of fossils by net zero fuels. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Bath University has provided us with the guidelines to understand the potential public perceptions during the replacement and use of fuels such as ammonia. Thus, they will bring to the project novel analyses that will set the fundamentals behind the perception of small and large communities potentially exposed to the chemical, hence leading to briefings and guidance documents for future use across the country. |
| Impact | NDA between partners and potential for the study of various communities across strategic routes for delivery of ammonia to "city gate terminals" across Wales. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Offshore Wind and Hydrogen Catapult |
| Organisation | Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | We have currently engaged with this Catapult to contact companies working on offshore wind applications for the delivery of green hydrogen. As part of the program, we seek to grow collaboration with this catapult's companies to explore realistic scenarios for the use of wind for green hydrogen production employing industrial parameters. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Catapult has started a search of companies to contact for further engagement with the team member of the consortium. |
| Impact | No outputs yet, recent collaboration established. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Wales and West Utilities and Cardiff |
| Organisation | Wales & West Utilities Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Techno-economic analysis of the delivery of ammonia or hydrogen to the Port of Cardiff to power the Furnaces of the company "CELSA". The lines employed for the study are owed by WWU, and data relevant to their characteristics was provided by such a company. The project benefits from the Techno-economic analyses performed in OceanREFuel. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided data and funding to perform the analysis of their pipelines to deliver H2 or NH3 to CELSA steelmaking processes. |
| Impact | Further analyses have been compiled for a long, extensive matrix that is available for more complex techno-economic studies using the H2/NH3 concept. The matrix will be made open access for the use of other institutions and entities, hence ensuring that the work is highly disseminated and the concept properly evaluated for other conditions and places. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Annual Meeting - OceanREFuel |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Workshop conducted during the 1st annual meeting of the project. The meeting was conceived for Postgraduate students, Researchers, Industrial members of the steering panel and the managing board. The work enabled the consolidation of activities whilst also raising the stakes of hydrogen and ammonia as potential vectors to decarbonise the energy sector. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Combustion Webinar Series - USA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on the use of ammonia and hydrogen as energy vectors for the decarbonisation of the European market. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSsO7e9VIn__RejSiAPF0JA |
| Description | Symposium on Ammonia Energy 3rd Version |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Panel discussion on the use of ammonia vs hydrogen in the delivery of power to inland locations. Discussions centered on the safety aspects of the concept, trying to bridge the complex interactions between academia and industry, presenting to both the potential to work together towards a common goal. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://soae.sjtu.edu.cn/ |