The NH3 Spark – FutureFlex Danish project will develop a 100% ammonia-operated small-bore engine that doesn’t require pilot fuel.
Danish-based Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program (EUDP) launched the NH3 Spark – FutureFlex project to develop a dual-fuel, four-stroke genset that operates 100% on ammonia without pilot fuel. MAN Energy Solutions’ Holeby site will lead the project’s consortium with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Skovgaard Energy, a Danish renewable-energy player.
MAN Energy Solutions will develop a sustainable small-bore engine. During the project, the concept's suitability for use with other low-emission fuels will be evaluated.
"We support the energy transition and are always happy to work with like-minded industry partners,” said Jarl Klüssmann, NH3 Spark Project Manager. “This project brings together a unique constellation of collaborators with different competencies, and I am confident we will deliver practicable results that the market will be able to capitalize upon."
During the first project phase, slated for later this year, the team will test ammonia on a single-cylinder MAN genset at DTU Construct’s engine laboratory. Next, a full-scale test will be conducted under powerplant conditions at Skovgaard Energy's green-ammonia production facility.
“This project has the potential to create a new niche for the oil-fueled engine where units can be quickly retrofitted or installed onboard new ships or in power plants,” said Warley Thomsen, Senior R&D Specialist, MAN Energy Solutions. “It aims to provide an attractive retrofit solution for existing engines with fuel flexibility as a priority. The concept will be capable of operating purely on ammonia but also on conventional biofuel oils to accommodate shipowners and the environment, regardless of which future fuels ultimately prevail.”
The initial phase of the NH3 – FutureFlex project involves ammonia testing on a single-cylinder MAN GenSet at the Technical University of Denmark. Credit: MAN Energy Solutions
MAN Energy Solutions also announced last week that it’s supplying six 18V51/60G gas engines with a total capacity of 124 MW to a peak-load power plant in Texas for the Kerrville Public Utility Board (KPUB) to boost grid stability and offer fast, flexible power.
“Our engines reliably and efficiently deliver electricity whenever required and as long as necessary,” said Johann Stocks, Head of Power, Americas at MAN Energy Solutions. “Similarly, their exhaust after-treatment system has been specifically developed and optimized for the requirements of the U.S. market to achieve ideal emission values."
KPUB will operate the engines using natural gas. The exhaust after-treatment system minimizes harmful emissions through catalytic reduction and oxidation catalysts. The engines' ability to operate with synthetic methane, biofuels, or a hydrogen mixture offers additional pathways to reduce CO2 emissions further.
