A megawatt-scale zero-carbon pure ammonia burner designed for industrial furnaces has been successfully tested in Jiangyin, Jiangsu province. This burner was developed through a collaboration between Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU), Sinopec Guangzhou Engineering Company, and Jiangsu Yanxin Technology Co.
Advancement in Ammonia Combustion
The successful testing marks a notable advancement in the efficient, zero-carbon combustion of pure ammonia for industrial applications. The trial is seen as a significant step towards enhancing energy conservation and supporting the low-carbon transition within the energy and chemical sectors.
Key Technologies and Development
The research team focused on several key technologies related to the ignition characteristics of pure ammonia, flame propagation speeds, stable combustion conditions, and the system’s integrated design. They undertook the independent development of the core technology and equipment needed for this project.
Test Results and Environmental Impact
Results from the test indicated that the megawatt-scale burner could operate stably at full load, suggesting that ammonia can function as a clean, zero-carbon alternative to traditional fuels like natural gas. Utilizing pure ammonia in a 100 MW industrial furnace could lead to an estimated reduction of approximately 170,000 metric tons in carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Future Applications in Industry
The outcomes of this trial provide a solid groundwork for the utilization of ammonia as fuel within the petrochemical industry and indicate its potential application in other sectors with high emissions, such as ceramics and metallurgy.
Research Team and Focus Areas
The project team included members from the School of Energy and Power Engineering and the National Key Laboratory of Green Hydrogen and Power at XJTU, led by Professors Huang Zuohua and Wang Jinhua, as well as Associate Professor Zhang Meng. Their research focuses on fundamental combustion processes across various applications, including aerospace and gas turbines, as well as the implementation of zero-carbon fuels in industrial settings. The team is particularly concerned with achieving high-efficiency, low-NOx combustion using both gaseous and liquid ammonia, alongside optimizing large-scale combustion processes in industrial contexts.
Original news source: Xi’an Jiaotong University
