Alfa Laval Test and Training Centre receives ammonia approval

(Posted on 07/09/22)

Authorities have granted approval for testing with ammonia at the Alfa Laval Test & Training Centre. When installation of the testing setup is completed by the end of 2022, the centre will be able to work with all fuels in consideration as the marine industry decarbonizes.

Alfa Laval will serve marine customers at all stages of their decarbonization journey, no matter which fuels they choose. As part of that strategy, the Alfa Laval Test & Training Centre will soon begin testing with ammonia. Just as it has for LNG, biofuels and methanol, the centre will deepen the knowledge of ammonia combustion and lead the development of needed onboard technologies.

“The Alfa Laval Test & Training Centre will explore ammonia’s properties and its behaviour in a wide range of systems,” says Alfa Laval’s Lars Skytte Jørgensen, Vice President Technology Development, Energy Systems. “That includes combustion systems, such as the burners on Alfa Laval Aalborg boilers, but also fuel supply systems and fuel cells – in other words, the full chain of fuel preparation and handling, where we will look at both efficiency and safety. With our testing setup approved, we can be first off the block in the race towards ammonia implementation.”

“Safety is the first consideration in any testing situation,” says Jørgensen of the plans for the centre. “Existing safety regulations deal with ammonia as a coolant or fertilizer, whereas using ammonia as fuel at sea is a new area altogether. In our communication with the authorities, there was much discussion as to what was needed for safe marine-oriented testing.”

The testing setup includes a double-walled ammonia tank at a safe distance from other fuels, as well as double-walled piping with encapsulated welds for all pipes to and from the centre. These barriers reflect the safety measures that will likely be required for ammonia on future vessels. Initially, the testing itself will take place in a dedicated enclosure, using quantities small enough for emergency venting without risk to the environment or the engineers involved. At a later stage, full-scale testing will commence using both boilers and fuel cells.

Latest News

Bruks Siwertell Group announces leadership transition

Bruks Siwertell Group has announced a leadership transition as Peter Jonsson steps down as CEO after... Read more

ClassNK issues AiP for OceanWings Rigid Windsail Type WAPS

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for a Rigid Windsail Type Wind-Assisted Propulsion... Read more

Seafarers welcome Elcome’s new pay-as-you-go high speed internet service

Elcome International’s new high-speed internet service, WELCOME, is revolutionising the way ship... Read more

Kaiko funding to enhance resilience in maritime operations with AI

Kaiko Systems, a leader in AI-driven frontline intelligence for the maritime industry, today announced... Read more

Liebherr manufactures 2,000th LHM

Marcegaglia’s latest acquisition, the LHM 600, marks a significant milestone as the 2,000th mobile... Read more

IOMSR plays key role in pioneering maritime wind power project

The Isle of Man Ship Registry (IOMSR) is playing a key role in the development of a high-tech sail aimed... Read more

AtoB@C Shipping at halfway in newbuilding programme

AtoB@C Shipping, subsidiary of ESL Shipping, has taken delivery of Terramar in Goa, India on 14 March... Read more

Strong VIKING on track towards new goals

As a new strategy period commences, VIKING Life-Saving Equipment A/S has achieved strong financial results... Read more

Baltic Exchange introduces biofuel blends in expansion of Emissions Calculator

Baltic Exchange has introduced a series of green fuel options to its FuelEU voyage and compliance cost... Read more

Veson Nautical and Cargill expand long-standing partnership

Veson Nautical, a global leader in maritime data and freight management solutions, and Cargill have... Read more