In the past decade, there has been a surge of innovation in the alternative engine sphere. As the world looks for sustainable engine solutions that can function as viable alternatives to the internal combustion engine, the world has seen a host of new engines have been developed. Most famously, the electric engine has taken the world by storm, as well as hybrid technology. Hydrogen fuel-cell engines are also becoming a fast complement to electrical engines. However, there has also been a development in using ammonia as a fuel source.
Electrical engines take the lead, with hydrogen close behind
With ammonia engines on the rise, they will have to compete with the likes of electrical engines, which have dominated the alternative engine sphere. Nearly all major automobile companies now offer a model that incorporates electrical technology in some way. Plug-in hybrid technology has been particularly popular as consumers adjust to the new technology while being realistic about infrastructure limitations.
Hot on the heels of electrical engine developments are hydrogen cars. Fueled by investment from Japanese automobile brands, Toyota in particular, these engines are being seen increasingly on the road. However, hydrogen vehicles have also received backlash on account of them not being as eco-friendly as hydrogen as because they have severe infrastructure limitations, more so than electric engines.
China unveils ammonia engine
While Japan has been pushing hydrogen innovation, neighboring country China has taken a different direction. Chinese vehicles have also recently been rising in popularity, with China’s BYD emerging as a strong competitor to the US’ Tesla. However, Chinese manufacturer GAC Group has also been experimenting with ammonia engines, unveiling a prototype of the model in 2023.
“We’ve overcome the pain point of ammonia being difficult to burn quickly and put the fuel to use in the passenger car industry. Its value to society and for commercial uses are worth anticipating,” said Qi Hongzhong from GAC’s research and development while speaking to reporters at the firm’s annual technology event in Beijing in 2023
The ammonia engine is two liters and can safely and effectively burn liquid ammonia to produce 120 kilowatts of electricity, as well as 90 percent less carbon emissions than other fuels. Ammonia engines are not necessarily a far-fetched concept and hold significant potential in the maritime industry. While it may be unlikely that we will see an ammonia-powered engine on the road, it is important to remember that the transportation industry is diverse and that multiple sources of innovation will be needed to transform it, as electrical engines are not the solution for all.
Japan does not neglect ammonia
While Japanese automobile manufacturers may have been spearheading with hydrogen technology, Japanese researchers are just as interested as Chinese professionals in the potential of ammonia. To increase the efficiency of the internal combustion process, Sophia University researchers are working to make ammonia the only fuel used in the ignition process. They are focusing on the intake system to optimize the mixing of ammonia and air inside the engine cylinder. The two main components of this work are the storage capabilities and the fluid dynamics.
One significant advantage that ammonia has over hydrogen is that it is much easier to store and transport than hydrogen. This is because it is easier to liquify to be used as a fuel source. Further, importing ammonia may be easier than importing hydrogen, as ammonia is already used across other industries, meaning that systems are already in place to transport it. The efforts from both China and Japan are important steps in the development towards moving away from the internal combustion engine towards a more sustainable future.
Source: ecoticias.com
