AMMONIA ZERO EMISSION (AMAZE) PROJECT

THREE-YEAR TECHNOLOGY STUDY

Ammonia Zero Emission Project (AMAZE) was launched by Bergen Engines in January 2022 to develop technology for a fuel-flexible internal combustion engine with carbon-free ammonia as the primary fuel. The development goal is a multi-fuel engine able to switch seamlessly from ammonia to diesel or other low-carbon fuels such as biofuels. Advanced fuel injection and combustion technology is expected to ensure high efficiency and close to zero emissions.

AMAZE is a three-year technology study led by Bergen Engines in collaboration with Equinor, SINTEF Energy Research, SINTEF Ocean, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and RISE Fire Research. The partners share the common goal to support the maritime industry in reaching climate neutrality, and will contribute with research and development in their respective areas of expertise. The €4 million project is being funded jointly between Bergen Engines, the Research Council of Norway and Equinor.

A ZERO-CARBON SOLUTION ACCESSIBLE FOR THE EXISTING FLEET

The AMAZE project is a response to the increasingly stringent emission requirements for the shipping industry. Fossil fuels have the highest energy density of all known fuels and are therefore also most used for shipping. Carbon-free hydrogen has the lowest energy density per unit volume and is challenging to use for deep-sea shipping as it is very space-intensive. Ammonia is a derivative of hydrogen. In liquid form, ammonia is a promising carbon-free fuel for deep-sea shipping, as it has a higher calorific value than hydrogen per volume basis, and it is therefore easier to store and handle..

“The AMAZE technology will allow shipowners to meet emission reduction targets in a cost-effective manner. Following the study, we aim to eventually develop a retrofit package that is economically viable and easy to install to ensure the continued use of existing equipment and mitigate the risk of stranded assets. Retrofitting opens the possibility to remove millions of tonnes of potential CO2 emissions from the existing fleet by switching to carbon-free fuels enabled by the AMAZE project”, says Therese Aalhus, Head of Engineering in Bergen Engines.

Engine lab-testing and experiments are done in close collaboration with NTNU and SINTEF, at their premises in Trondheim.

THE BENEFITS OF AMMONIA IN MEDIUM-SPEED ENGINES

Ammonia is a carbon-free fuel, making it an attractive choice for addressing environmental concerns and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Its combustion releases only nitrogen and water vapor, eliminating carbon dioxide emissions at the point of use. Another benefit is that ammonia has a high energy density, making it suitable for medium-speed engines that require efficient and powerful fuel sources.

Existing infrastructure for ammonia production and transportation is well-established, leveraging the extensive experience gained from its use in the chemical industry. Additionally, ammonia can be produced from various renewable sources, such as green hydrogen, contributing to a sustainable and diversified energy mix. The versatility of ammonia as a fuel makes it a viable candidate for transitioning towards cleaner and more environmentally friendly propulsion systems in both maritime and land-based applications with medium-speed engines.