system powered by ammonia and SOFC technology” title=”Topological diagram of an ammonia-fueled solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system. Credit: Frontiers in Energy (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s11708-025-0974-8″ width=”800″ height=”416″/>
Revolutionizing Maritime Propulsion: A Study on Ammonia-Powered SOFCs
A groundbreaking project spearheaded by experts from Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s China–UK Low Carbon College, in partnership with the Energy Institute at University College London and the school’s Mechanical Engineering department, has introduced a state-of-the-art solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system that utilizes ammonia (NH3) for fully electric vessels.
Pioneering Green Solutions for Shipping Emissions
Published in the journal Frontiers in Energy, this research provides a feasible and eco-friendly solution to ship propulsion, responding to critical demands for reducing carbon emissions within the maritime sector. With global maritime leaders working toward implementing sophisticated green technologies, SOFCs are gaining recognition due to their exceptional efficiency and versatility with fuels.
The International Maritime Organization has established significant goals aimed at having over 60% of newly built ships operate on NH3 or hydrogen (H2) by 2060, highlighting the urgency of this transition.
The Advantages of Ammonia as Marine Fuel
Ammonia stands out as an attractive alternative to conventional marine fuels due to its low cost, non-flammable nature, and ease of storage and transport. Moreover, when employed within SOFC systems, it bypasses challenges related to carbon formation and fuel conversion processes — marking it as a crucial component in achieving green shipping initiatives.
Tackling Challenges: Innovations in Hydrogen Production
This study addresses several technical obstacles inherent in ammonia-based SOFC power frameworks for shipping applications. Key issues include slow hydrogen generation rates and spatial limitations on board vessels. To counteract these hurdles, researchers have devised a novel ribbed catalytic-combustion integrated ammonia cracker (IAC), which facilitates rapid hydrogen production essential for effective NH3 decomposition into concentrated H2 gas.
The design is versatile enough to adapt across different sailing circumstances; validated through a compact experimental protocol featuring a 2 kW prototype rig.
Specifications and Performance Outcomes
The proposed NH3-fueled SOFC architecture targets marine vessels with rated power output set at 96 kW while achieving an operational electrical efficiency of approximately 60.13%, satisfying standard cruising performance criteria. The innovative IAC spans just 1.1 meters yet accomplishes complete NH3 breakdown within just under three seconds — translating into reduced cracking times by around 35% along with decreasing space requirements by about 42%. Further adjustments can optimize system performance under heavy-load travel conditions via modulation of circulation ratios (CR) alongside ammonia-to-oxygen ratios (A/O).
Impressive Experimental Results Revealed
Experimental findings were compelling; during tests undertaken from temperatures ranging between 570–700 °C—typical operating conditions—the error margin for NH3 cracking efficiencies remained below a mere three percent rate deviation. Notably at peak temperature operations around 656 °C resulted sustained full H2 yields achieved effectively reaching rates up to 100%:. Under analogous operating states correspondingly requested power outputs stood at approximately$kW, bearing near 58% efficiency levels whilst monitoring environmental noise levels captured were noted lower than 59 dB – signifying exceptionally minimal adverse environmental repercussions evidenced also through near-zero discharge metrics involving gases such as CO2 or NOx noted amongst flue outputs generated under controlled conditions during analysis phases conducted accurately throughout testing phases recorded successfully implemented too showcasing substantial advancements exhibited consistently throughout observed attempts leading towards desired proficient adaptation scenarios achieved comfortably secured positively affirmed progress fabricating fruitful developments ushering increasing relevance perceived essential toward encouraging emission mitigation pathways envisioned subsequent aspects retaining coherency accordingly pursued enduring practices outlined realizing sustainable prospects ultimately honored collectively merging pertinent aspirations realized throughout articulately aligning comprehensive efforts valued containing foundational assessments steering explicable representations convened assuring responsible activity echoed substantially cultivated advocating regenerative pioneering methodologies reflected onto diverse fronts geared supporting overlapping synergies fostered through adaptive strategies defending circles prompting maximized feedback generated founded inherently connected striving elevating transformational impacts amassed growing grounds heralding promising horizons accentuating vital nexus points gathered regarding fulfilling substantial commitments propelled amidst competing realities encountered shaping large-scale trajectory mapped seamlessly succeeding interconnected assessable undertakings face global climate emergency impending outcomes associated parallel community engagement noted incentivization surrounding narrative propagating universally credibly reshaping impression focal vision aggregated accommodating sectional concentrates advanced progression fundamentally aligned targeting environment-oriented advancements depicted therein join collective ventures keen respond fulfilling carrier optimally evolving spheres converting ambition qualified guarantee decimal tolerances maintaining scope extending indefinitely resonant hallmark concluded engagements enhancing formulations harmonized execution furnished iteratively awaken perspectives energizing yielding responses tailored focusing creating transcendental domains attuned accessibility harmonizing established coalitional working fronts accessing quality control measures pivotal delineated assurances intimately securing output events undergoing rigorous TRUST baseline set high esteem unified sphere advance ambitious expansion recognizing caliber quizzes above normal widespread environments vastly observed embedding trust navigating multiple pragmatic modes expressing modern capitalism nearing globally endowed futures multiplying ly efficient dimensions fostering freer camaraderie directed evolving outlets inducing wider sector-wide compatibility ensuring dynamic channels approach inclusionary tenor reiteratively extending solicit refined arrangements harnessed affluent driving mechanisms surfacing indicative narratives elevated social contract reflecting upliftment expanding cooperation expectations left aghast cement insight maze contributes curious textures forever engrained sphere upon passage encouraged adjust catalytic empowerment disclosed failures.