Cryogenic energy assisted power generation utilizing low flammability refrigerants

“Abstract

Cryogenic carbon-neutral fuels are potential alternatives as future marine fuels, releasing waste cryogenic energy during regasification and waste thermal energy during combustion. Organic Rankine Cycles (ORCs), using flammable hydrocarbon working fluids, are the preferred waste energy reutilization technology, prioritized over Brayton and Kaline cycles due to their compact system configuration. However, hydrocarbon flammability and explosiveness poses a huge safety risk. Therein lies the novelty of this study which presents an advanced dynamic model of a cryogenic enhanced ORC utilizing low flammability hydrofluorocarbons as working fluids for simultaneous reutilization of waste thermal and cryogenic energy from carbon-neutral cryogenic fuels. The evaporation temperature exhibits a direct correlation with energy and an inverse correlation with the exergy performance. System overcharging leads to a drastic performance decline, while undercharging can be tolerated to a certain liquid-to-volume ratio until critical failure. Marine classification societies’ recommendations-based scenarios were employed to gauge the emission reduction potential of low flammability working fluids for cryogenic ORCs, pitted against traditional combustion technologies. A maximum specific net-work, thermal efficiency, exergy efficiency, and cryogenic energy efficiency of 45.64 kJ/kg, 10.43 %, 12.75 %, and 11.8 % was achieved, respectively, with 85 % reduction in GHG emissions, using R452B as the working fluid.”
Farrukh S., Wu D., Taskin A., Dearn K. Cryogenic energy assisted power generation utilizing low flammability refrigerants (2024) Energy, 307, art. no. 132770. DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.132770

The full report is accessible via:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.132770

A Literature Review of Seaport Decarbonisation: Solution Measures and Roadmap to Net Zero

“Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature related to seaport decarbonisation by combining the academic literature with case studies, industrial reports, newsletters, and domain knowledge. Through the literature review, the emission sources at seaports are categorised according to different criteria for better understanding. One of the criteria is the geographic location, which divides the emission sources into four categories. For each emission source category, the emission reduction measures in the literature are categorised into six structured categories including operational measures, technical measures, fuel and energy measures, infrastructural measures, digitalisation measures, and policy and collaboration measures. The first three categories have a direct impact on emission reductions, whereas the last three categories tend to support and facilitate the development and implementation of the first three categories. Representative case studies are selected from the UK ports to discuss their decarbonisation practices and pathways to net zero. We then propose a generic time-phased roadmap for port decarbonisation towards net zero, which divides the solution measures in each category into three phases to show their progressive processes. We explain the dependence relationships of the solution measures in the roadmap and discuss the challenges and opportunities in the implementation of the roadmap. This paper could offer strategic guidelines to port-associated stakeholders to implement emission reduction strategies and transition to net zero from the system perspective.”

 

Song, D. -P. (2024). A Literature Review of Seaport Decarbonisation: Solution Measures and Roadmap to Net Zero. Sustainability, 16(4), 1620. doi:10.3390/su16041620.

The full report is accessible via: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041620 

Research and innovation identified to decarbonise the maritime sector

“Abstract

The maritime sector requires technically, environmentally, socially, and economically informed pathways to decarbonise and eliminate all emissions harmful to the environment and health. This is extremely challenging and complex, and a wide range of technologies and solutions are currently being explored. However, it is important to assess the state-of-the-art and identify further research and innovation required to accelerate decarbonisation. The UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub have identified key priority areas to drive this process, with particular focus on marine fuels, power and propulsion, vessel efficiency, port operations and infrastructure, digitalisation, finance, regulation, and policy.”

 

Ling-Chin J, Simpson R, Cairns A, Wu D, Xie Y, Song D, Kashkarov S, Molkov V, Moutzouris I, Wright L, Tricoli P, Dansoh C, Panesar A, Chong K, Liu P, Roy D, Wang Y, Smallbone A, Roskilly AP. Research and innovation identified to decarbonise the maritime sector. Green Energy Sustain. 2024;4(1):0001. https://doi.org/10.47248/ges2404010001

The full publication is available via: https://doi.org/10.47248/ges2404010001 

Performance and Emission Optimisation of an Ammonia/Hydrogen Fuelled Linear Joule Engine Generator

“Abstract:

This paper presents a Linear Joule Engine Generator (LJEG) powered by ammonia and hydrogen co-combustion to tackle decarbonisation in the electrification of transport propulsion systems. A dynamic model of the LJEG, which integrates mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetics sub-models, as well as detailed combustion chemistry analysis for emissions, is presented. The dynamic model is integrated and validated, and the LJEG performance is optimised for improved performance and reduced emissions. At optimal conditions, the engine could generate 1.96 kWe at a thermal efficiency of 34.3% and an electrical efficiency of 91%. It is found that the electromagnetic force of the linear alternator and heat addition from the external combustor and engine valve timing have the most significant influences on performance, whereas the piston stroke has a lesser impact. The impacts of hydrogen ratio, oxygen concentration, inlet pressure, and equivalence ratio of ammonia-air on nitric oxide (NO) formation and reduction are revealed using a detailed chemical kinetic analysis. Results indicated that rich combustion and elevated pressure are beneficial for NO reduction. The rate of production analysis indicates that the equivalence ratio significantly changes the relative contribution among the critical NO formation and reduction reaction pathways.”

 

Performance and Emission Optimisation of an Ammonia/Hydrogen Fuelled Linear Joule Engine Generator. G. Chen, U. Ngwaka, D. Wu, M. Li. Energies 17, 1490, 2024.

The full report is accessible via: https://doi.org/10.3390/en17061490

CFD Simulations of Hydrogen Tank Fuelling: Sensitivity to Turbulence Model and Grid Resolution

“Abstract:
CFD modelling of compressed hydrogen fuelling provides information on the hydrogen and tank structure temperature dynamics required for onboard storage tank design and fuelling protocol development. This study compares five turbulence models to develop a strategy for cost-effective CFD simulations of hydrogen fuelling while maintaining a simulation accuracy acceptable for engineering analysis: RANS models k-ε and RSM; hybrid models SAS and DES; and LES model. Simulations were validated against the fuelling experiment of a Type IV 29 L tank available in the literature. For RANS with wall functions and blended models with near-wall treatment, the simulated average hydrogen temperatures deviated from the experiment by 1–3% with CFL ≈ 1–3 and dimensionless wall distance y+ ≈ 50–500 in the tank. To provide a similar simulation accuracy, the LES modelling approach with near-wall treatment requires mesh with wall distance y+ ≈ 2–10 and demonstrates the best-resolved flow field with larger velocity and temperature gradients. LES simulation on this mesh, however, implies a ca. 60 times longer CPU time compared to the RANS modelling approach and 9 times longer compared to the hybrid models due to the time step limit enforced by the CFL ≈ 1.0 criteria. In all cases, the simulated pressure histories and inlet mass flow rates have a difference within 1% while the average heat fluxes and maximum hydrogen temperature show a difference within 10%. Compared to LES, the k-ε model tends to underestimate and DES tends to overestimate the temperature gradient inside the tank. The results of RSM and SAS are close to those of LES albeit of 8–9 times faster simulations.”

 

Xie H, Makarov D, Kashkarov S, Molkov V. CFD Simulations of hydrogen tank fuelling: sensitivity to turbulence model and grid resolution. Hydrogen, 2023;4:1001–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrogen4040058

Full publication accessible via: https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrogen4040058

Pathways to Decarbonization of Deep-Sea Shipping: An Aframax Case Study

“Abstract

Deep-sea decarbonization remains an enigma as the world scrambles to reduce global emissions. This study looks at near-term decarbonization solutions for deep-sea shipping. Pathways are defined, which are appealing to ship owners and major world economies alike. The economic and environmental viability of several of the most advanced near-term technologies for deep-sea decarbonization are revealed. The environmental analysis suggests the necessity of new emission intensity metrics. The economic analysis indicates that the carbon tax could be a great motivator to invest in decarbonization technologies. Standalone decarbonization technologies can provide a maximum of 20% emissions reduction. Hence, to meet IMO 2050 targets of 50% emissions reduction, several solutions need to be utilized in tandem. This study reaches the conclusion that alternative fuels are the crucial step to achieve a net zero carbon economy, although bunkering, infrastructure, and economic hurdles need to be overcome for the widespread implementation of carbon-neutral fuels.”

 

Pathways to Decarbonization of Deep-Sea Shipping: An Aframax Case Study. S Farrukh, M Li, GD Kouris, D Wu, K Dearn, Z Yerasimou, P Diamantis, Energies 16, 7640. 2023.

The full report is accessible via: https://doi.org/10.3390/en16227640