The newly established UK Ammonia Alliance intends to promote the growth of the ammonia industry in the UK, building on the country’s robust research and innovation base.
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Mitsubishi, Hygenco: a renewable ammonia supply chain from India to APAC
The pair will develop a “master plan” for production, transport and utilization of renewable ammonia to Japan, Singapore, and other APAC markets. The development progress of the renewable ammonia production ecosystem in India (and recent SECI auction results and project requirements) were explored at a recent World Bank webinar.
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Gas-based reforming for low-emission ammonia production: ATR, POX, and two-step reforming
Current global ammonia production is mostly based on gas-fed, two-stage reforming processs. Decarbonization of this existing production capacity – as well as new newbuild low-emission capacity also based on gas – can utilize an industrially-proven suite of alternative technologies and processes, including autothermal reforming, and partial oxidation combined with CCS. This article discusses some of the technologies available from various tech providers, and reference projects in operation.
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Mitsubishi Hydrogen and Ammonia Gas Turbine
Mitsubishi is engaged in many projects related to the full ammonia fuel value chain. While tests for hydrogen firing have already begun for large-scale gas turbines, the focus for ammonia fuel is currently on small-size models, and the demonstration of a 100% ammonia fuel combustor. The presentation also explores the design considerations for an ammonia-fueled gas turbine, including safety systems and fuel supply.
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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries joins Port of Newcastle to develop new clean hub
MHI has joined the Clean Energy Precinct project in Newcastle, Australia, and will leverage its experience developing the Takasago Hydrogen Park in Japan. Located adjacent to the world’s largest coal port, the Clean Energy Precinct will feature “production, storage, distribution and export” facilities, focused on electrolytic hydrogen and ammonia.
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J-ENG completes testing for its first ammonia-fueled marine engine
Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) announced that it has completed test operations on its low-speed, 2-stroke engine, with installation and subsequent trial operations due to begin in April 2025. Installation will be onboard one of the first ammonia-fueled vessels to hit the water: the NYK-led midsized gas carrier project.
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Ammonia takes key role in Taiwan’s energy transition strategy
We highlight ammonia developments in Taiwan in line with the island nation’s plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050:
- Taiwan’s largest fertiliser manufacturer, Taiwan Fertiliser Company, will collaborate with ammonia industry giants Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and IHI Corporation to develop a low-carbon ammonia supply chain.
- Taipower, IHI and Sumitomo have an agreement in place to develop a 5% ammonia-coal co-firing demonstration project at Taipower’s Dalin Power Plant by 2030.
- And ITOCHU and U-Ming Marine Transport’s partnership for the joint ownership and operation of ammonia-fueled ships.
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New ammonia cracking systems under-development in Japan
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and NGK Insulators will jointly develop a membrane-based purification system to produce high-purity hydrogen from ammonia cracking. Also in Japan, Toyo Engineering and Nippon Seisen will lead development of a small-scale ammonia cracking unit, producing on-demand hydrogen for vehicle fuel and power generation.
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PTT & MHI: ammonia energy in Thailand
In a 4-year partnership, PTT Global Chemical will collaborate with MHI to explore the feasibility of a large scale carbon neutral petrochemical complex in Thailand, powered by low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia-fueled gas turbines.
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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: successful combustion test of ammonia single-fuel burners
MHI has successfully combustion-tested its ammonia single-fuel burners. The tests confirmed that the burners are capable of complete and stable combustion, producing reduced NOx emissions relative to coal firing. The test will now be run at a larger scale to simulate actual operations.
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Maritime ammonia: fuel delivery, emissions mitigation systems near readiness
This week, we explore three new onboard systems: the Mitsubishi Ammonia Supply and Safety System (MAmmoSS®), Singapore-based C-LNG Solutions’ new ammonia low flash point fuel supply system, and a new NOx emission mitigation system developed by Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and Hyundai Heavy Industries.
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Mitsui O.S.K. Lines: forging ahead with a comprehensive strategy for maritime ammonia
Earlier this year, the Japanese shipping giant declared a strategic direction which included a substantial role for low carbon ammonia. In our latest episode of Maritime Insights we explored the scope of this new strategy, MOL’s future fuels roadmap, and the wide range of initiatives in play to construct a full value chain for fuel ammonia (including mega-scale production projects).
Presentation
MHI Energy Transition and Ammonia Firing Gas Turbine
MHI Group released the “Carbon Neutrality Declaration by 2040” with the theme of “MISSION NET ZERO” and we are working to develop technologies and businesses towards the goal. In this panel session, MHI’s technology roadmap for CO2 zero power generation is presented first, where ammonia and hydrogen firing GT/GTCC plays an important role. Then technologies development and validation progress for the ammonia firing GT are presented and discussed together with MHI involved Ammonia power generation projects worldwide. Lastly activities of Hydrogen GT development and validation are briefly introduced.
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Maritime updates: modeling engine room fuel leaks, testing a new fuel supply system
ABS has used computational fluid dynamics to model ammonia dispersion patterns in a ship’s engine room, with the aim of producing a fast, real-time response system for ammonia leaks. In Japan, a fuel supply system for large-scale, low-speed, two-stroke marine engines is undergoing final verification testing. Mitsubishi Shipbuilding aims to become a key technology provider of such systems, and in the ammonia maritime fuel space.
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Establishing a renewable ammonia supply chain from Thailand
Mitsui OSK Lines, Mitsubishi, Chiyoda and the Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand will work together to build a clean hydrogen & ammonia value chain, with production based on renewable energy generation in southern Thailand. The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the official launch of the Asian Zero Emissions Community: a new region-wide initiative to drive the energy transition in Asia.
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Ammonia co-firing trials to commence in the Philippines, Thailand and Chile
Ammonia co-firing trials will shortly commence in the Philippines, Thailand and Chile, with an initial focus on co-firing rates of 20-30% ammonia. Japanese energy giants JERA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries continue to be significant players in the co-firing space.
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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to explore ammonia-fired gas turbines in Singapore, Indonesia
MHI, Keppel Infrastructure and DNV have agreed to explore the feasibility and deployment of a 100% ammonia-fired gas turbine on Jurong Island, Singapore. In Indonesia, MHI and Bandung Institute of Technology will work together to demonstrate 100% ammonia firing with MHI’s H-25 Series, 40 MW gas turbine.
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Ammonia combustion for power generation: updates from Korea, Malaysia and Singapore
Joint venture SK Plug Hyverse has agreed to deploy its Korean-manufactured PEM electrolysers overseas, and then supply Korea South-East Power (KOEN) with renewable hydrogen & ammonia imports for co-firing at natural gas and coal power plants. In Malaysia, power utility Tenaga Nasional Bhd, IHI Power Systems and Petronas announced they have successfully conducted 60% ammonia co-combustion trials. And in Singapore, Jurong Port, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and JERA will conduct a joint study on Jurong Island, where a 60MW, combined-cycle gas turbine will be fueled by 100% ammonia to produce zero-carbon electricity.
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Ammonia-powered vessels & maritime engines: development updates
This week we explore four announcements in the maritime ammonia space:
- Færder Tankers Norway will receive $20 million in Enova funding to develop two ammonia-powered vessel designs: a tanker and a car carrier.
- Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has completed a conceptual design for an LPG-ammonia dual-fuel VLGC, with Approval in Principle granted by ClassNK.
- Delivery dates have been set for the first eight of Höegh Autoliners’ Aurora-class, ammonia-powered car carriers, with China Merchants Heavy Industry to deliver vessels from late 2024.
- WinGD and Hyundai Heavy Industries will collaborate to deliver the first WinGD two-stroke engine capable of running on ammonia by 2025.
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Decarbonising the Great Plains Synfuel Plant
Bakken Energy, Mitsubishi Power Americas and MHA Nation have signed a new MoU for the redevelopment of the Great Plains Synfuel Plant: an existing ammonia production facility (>400,000 tonnes per year) near Beulah, North Dakota. The $2 billion facility will be renamed the Great Plains Hydrogen Hub, and is expected to be operational by 2027, producing 348,000 tonnes per year of hydrogen via ATR and CCS.
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Mitsubishi & Mitsui O.S.K. complete ammonia bunkering study
This week Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (via subsidiary Mitsubishi Shipbuilding) & Mitsui O.S.K. Lines completed a joint study on the use of floating storage and regasification units (FSRU) for ammonia bunkering. FSRUs open up a suite of new options for future bunkering setups - particularly power generation applications.
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JERA targets 50% ammonia-coal co-firing by 2030
Japanese government funding via NEDO will support four critical ammonia energy projects, including JERA's new plan to demonstrate 50% ammonia-coal co-firing by 2030. Other projects include improved catalysts for ammonia production, low-temperature and low-pressure synthesis pathways, and developing 100% ammonia-fed boilers and gas turbines. In addition, a new cooperation agreement between ASEAN countries will see Japan support other members to adopt their ammonia energy solutions, particularly coal co-firing.
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Mitsubishi Power developing ammonia combustion boilers
Mitsubishi Power has announced the development of single and mixed-fuel ammonia combustion boilers for industrial applications. Importantly, Mitsubishi also announced that optimal combustion conditions for ammonia have been successfully identified to minimise NOx formation and ammonia slip.
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The Ammonia Wrap: two new large-scale ammonia projects in the UAE and more
Welcome to the Ammonia Wrap: a summary of all the latest announcements, news items and publications about ammonia energy. This week: two new large-scale ammonia projects in the UAE, RWE, BASF combine for 2 GW "Offshore-to-X" project, green ammonia exports from Tasmania, coal co-combustion trials in Japan, Japanese shipping industry chases decarbonisation, South Korean companies join together in local green ammonia consortium, new funding for ammonia-from-wastewater research and Horisont Energi and Equinor join forces for the Polaris project.
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The Ammonia Wrap: World Bank boosts hydrogen and ammonia as future fuels, new coalition for bunker ammonia, and cracking at the Wilhelmshaven hydrogen hub
Welcome to the Ammonia Wrap: a summary of all the latest announcements, news items and publications about ammonia energy. This week: the World Bank sees hydrogen and ammonia as key to decarbonising shipping, a new coalition for safe ammonia bunkering, Trafigura co-sponsors MAN's development of ammonia-fueled maritime engines, cracking plant a feature of the new Wilhelmshaven hydrogen hub, RWE and H2U to develop global hydrogen trading between Australia and Germany, Province Resources' West Australian mega-project grows to 8GW and South Africa's Hydrogen Society Roadmap a step closer.
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The Ammonia Wrap: OCI to charter ammonia-fueled vessels, Japanese CCGT units await ammonia, more green ammonia for Chile, new South Korea and Uruguay updates
Welcome to the Ammonia Wrap: a summary of all the latest announcements, news items and publications about ammonia energy. This week: OCI to charter ammonia-fueled vessels, new carbon-free maritime fuels forecast, Hokkaido Electric postpones CCGT deployment, awaits ammonia, more green ammonia for Chile, Net-zero Teesside to include CF Industries ammonia production, South Korea and Uruguay.
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The Ammonia Wrap: commercial turbines, another GW of green ammonia, Viking Energy updates, and "any-fuel" high-temp PEM fuel cells
Welcome to the Ammonia Wrap: a summary of all the latest announcements, news items and publications about ammonia energy. This week: commercialised ammonia gas turbines, TDK and GenCell join forces, another GW of green ammonia production, small-scale green ammonia in rural Japan, hydroelectric ammonia in Laos, Viking Energy vessel updates, new partnerships for Haldor Topsoe and "any-fuel" high-temp PEM fuel cells.
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Japan's Road Map for Fuel Ammonia
This month, the Japanese Ministry for Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) began promoting an updated Road Map for Fuel Ammonia, focused on the use of ammonia in thermal power plants and as a shipping fuel. By 2030, Japan expects to import 3 million tons of clean ammonia, with demand rising to 30 million tons by 2050. To secure these volumes, Japanese companies are now making investments up and down the supply chain. These are ambitious numbers, matching Japan’s recent commitment to reach net-zero emissions, but still they miss the big picture. The broader economic opportunity arrives when Japanese companies export their fuel ammonia technologies, decarbonizing coal-fired power plants across Asia, and then supply the fuel to these newly sustainable shipping and electricity sectors. By 2050, the METI Road Map expects Japanese trading companies to supply the wider region with 100 million tons per year of clean ammonia.
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METI Forms Ammonia Energy Council
Last week, Japan’s Ministry of Energy, Trade, and Industry (METI) announced the formation of a council to work on the implementation of ammonia as an energy commodity. The announcement came on the same day as a speech by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in which he established 2050 as the date certain for Japan to achieve carbon-neutrality. That was Monday October 26, 2020. The council held its first meeting on Tuesday October 27. The Council consists of four entities from the public sector and ten from the private sector. Members include companies that have previously been identified with the development of ammonia energy systems, including EPC firm JGC, capital goods manufacturer IHI, electric utility JERA, and shipping company NYK Line. The membership also reflects what appears to be the group’s central mission: positioning Japan as ammonia energy’s global leader via the dissemination of technology and the development of supply chains.
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Maersk and partners launch Center for Zero Carbon Shipping
This morning, the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping was announced. Launched with a “start-up donation” of DKK 400 million (USD 60 million) from the A.P. Møller Foundation, this new research institute intends “to develop new fuel types and technologies,” to decarbonize the maritime sector. Behind the Center for Zero Carbon Shipping is a significant industrial consortium with seven founding members (actively seeking additional partners): ABS, A.P. Moller – Maersk, Cargill, MAN Energy Solutions, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, NYK Lines, and Siemens Energy.