Work

Research on Combustion Strategies for Marine Low-Speed Two-Stroke Direct Injection Ammonia/Diesel Dual Fuel Engines

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigates the combustion and emission characteristics of a marine low-speed two-stroke engine using diesel-ignited ammonia dual direct injection. Using a validated 3D CFD model, the impact of ammonia blending ratios (Ra) was systematically explored. Results indicate that the strategy of shifting energy from early diesel injection to late ammonia injection physically repositions the combustion phasing. Rather than ammonia delaying the heat release, this late injection strategy avoids the overly early combustion observed at low ammonia concentrations, thereby lowering peak in-cylinder temperatures while maintaining robust work extraction. Consequently, indicated power at the N90 condition increases by 3.5% (to 1689 kW) over the diesel baseline, with a minimum EISFC of 165.5 g/kWh. High-ratio ammonia blending achieves deep decarbonization: at N90, peak CO and soot emissions are reduced by over 90% and 95%, respectively. Additionally, NOx emissions decrease by approximately 70% at N90 compared to the N20 peak, attributed to the thermal DeNOx mechanism. However, the low-temperature environment introduces trade-offs, leading to increased ammonia slip (4 ppm at N90) and elevated N2O emissions (peaking at N70). These findings clarify the mechanisms governing ammonia combustion and provide theoretical support for optimizing zero-carbon marine propulsion systems.

Source: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

DOI: 10.3390/jmse14040380

Authors: Ye-Peng Li, En-Zhe Song, Ke-Shuai Sun, Yi-Lin Ning

Institution: Harbin Engineering University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Combustion Engine Technologies

Subfield: Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

Field: Chemical Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137