{"id":11725,"date":"2024-10-14T11:43:34","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T11:43:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/?page_id=11725"},"modified":"2026-03-17T10:47:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T10:47:29","slug":"ammonia-as-a-c-free-fuel","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/research\/hydrogen\/ammonia-as-a-c-free-fuel\/","title":{"rendered":"Ammonia as a C-free fuel"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ammonia as a C-free fuel<\/h1>\n

Ammonia is one of the most widely produced chemicals worldwide, with annual production increases, and is the basic material for all other nitrogen compounds, most of which are processed into fertilisers. It is produced almost exclusively using the Haber-Bosch process, which has been technically established for decades. <\/h4>\n

Ammonia is a nitrogen-hydrogen compound and can be stored in liquid form in simple pressure vessels at approx. 8 bar with high energy density. Compared to hydrocarbons (e.g. SNG) or alcohols (e.g. methanol), only nitrogen is required for its production instead of carbon dioxide. When ammonia is used, e.g. for power generation or propulsion, no carbon dioxide is released, only water and nitrogen. This means that ammonia can be used as an emission-free energy storage medium in a future emission-free energy system. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Energy density<\/h2>\n

The advantage over the direct use of hydrogen: ammonia has a high energy density, is easy to transport and uncomplicated to store. NH3<\/sub> therefore offers enormous potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, especially in the face of the challenge of climate change. <\/p>\n

At ZBT, we are particularly concerned with the utilisation of ammonia for various applications, in particular decentralised hydrogen production using cracker systems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Highlights from Our Projects<\/h2>\n \n
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Campfire CF12_1 – Container-based cracker gas engine CHP for remote off-grid applications<\/h4>\n

Development of a container-based NH\u2083 CHP plant for off-grid applications, whereby a megawatt power system with integrated ammonia cracker and safety equipment is designed, tested and optimised in terms of efficiency and emissions.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Campfire CF08_2 – NH3 marine engine<\/h4>\n

The project involves the development, testing and simulation-based optimisation of a novel propulsion system based on an ammonia cracker gas engine for emission-free inland waterway transport, with a focus on energy efficiency, technical feasibility and system integration.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Campfire CF06_6 – Microstructured process-intensified Haber-Bosch reactor<\/h4>\n

A hybrid Haber-Bosch reactor with active cooling, improved heat integration and increased catalyst surface area increases power density and enables dynamic, decentralised ammonia synthesis based on renewable energies.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Head of Fuels and Processes Department<\/h3>\n
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\n Michael Steffen\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n <\/svg><\/i>\n +49 203 7598-3033<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n <\/svg><\/i>\n \n m.steffen@zbt.de<\/a>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Coordination CAMPFIRE network<\/h3>\n
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\n Jens Wartmann\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n <\/svg><\/i>\n +49 203 7598-3336<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n <\/svg><\/i>\n \n j.wartmann@zbt.de<\/a>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \"Portr\u00e4t\n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n
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Subject Area Lead Ammonia<\/h3>\n
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\n Dr. Lena Engelmeier\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n <\/svg><\/i>\n \n l.engelmeier@zbt.de<\/a>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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