From a toxic chemical to the fuel of the future

Ammonia has been the focus of the marine industry as one of the best fuels for achieving a cleaner energy mix, due to its versatility and abundance, as well as ease of storage and transportation.

However, although the characteristics are favorable, it will take some time for shipping to be powered by ammonia and leave a smaller footprint on the planet. Currently, the shipping industry is responsible for about 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions.

So that it is possibleAchieving carbon neutrality by 2050Hydrogen-based fuels, such as ammonia, are expected to make up 30% of marine fuelsInternational Energy Agency reports.

The promising use of ammonia is not far off. Japanese shipping and logistics company NYK Lines and IHI Power Systems are developing the world’s first ammonia-powered locomotive, according to Euronews.

“We have to achieve zero emissions by 2050 and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. Ammonia is the most beneficial solution because, first of all, it has no emissions, it does not emit greenhouse gases and we already have some experience with the transportation of ammonia,” advocates the company’s general manager , Yokoyama Tsutomu.

Although it has many advantages, ammonia is still present a toxic chemical For humans and aquatic life. In order to allay concerns, NYK made it clear that safety is “essential” and a “top priority” for the company.

“Currently, what we are doing is a physical assessment, which is being carried out with the Japanese government agency, the Japan Coast Guard. He stressed that we are identifying potential risks and also developing a solution.

Although this chemical, made of hydrogen and nitrogen, already plays an important role when used as a fertilizer and in cleaning products, its production process is not yet ecological.

The Japanese engineering company JGC and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology used electricity from renewable energies to produce “green ammonia”, with an emphasis on cleaning the ammonia production process. After this experience, JGC plans to build a clean chemical plant so that the maximum use of the renewable energy produced can be made.

Its purpose is to reduce the carbon dioxide produced by ammonia. Noting that “the amount of carbon dioxide corresponds to 1 or 2% of global emissions”, official Kai Mototaka explained that “ammonia can be used in another sector, in a new market for energy, energy production and shipping”, which will allow a reduction in the amount of CO2 Carbon, “not just 1 or 2%, but much more,” he added.

While cost is one of the biggest challenges of using ammonia, it is expected that the price of renewable electricity will continue to fall, which will make “green ammonia” a clean and viable fuel in the future.