Particulate Matter Emissions from an Ammonia Spark-Ignition Engine
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The use of ammonia as a fuel in internal combustion engines is a promising pathway for the decarbonization of specific sectors such as long-distance, off-road transportation, and power generation. The development of such engines implies assessing the associated pollutant emissions, including both gaseous and particulate matter. However, only very few studies have investigated the latter. The aim of this study is to provide unique insights into the characteristics of particulate matter generated by a spark-ignition engine fueled with ammonia and to make comparisons with methane. To characterize particle emissions, a dual approach combining dynamic monitoring of both solid and volatile particles and subsequent laboratory analyses including microscopic observation and elemental analysis of sampled particles was set up. Real-time measurements highlighted the great influence of exhaust dilution conditions on total particle numbers as well as particle size distributions. This was attributed to conditions enhancing the nucleation and condensation of volatile species at the exhaust. On the other hand, particles were collected using a mini particle sampler (MPS) device and further analyzed using transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). It revealed varied types of particles, including soot agglomerates, 40 nm-large metal-rich spheres, sub-10 nm metal nanoparticles, as well as large low-volatility amorphous deposits for methane. With ammonia, large organic deposits were also found in addition to numerous sub-10 nm metal nanoparticles and 4–20 nm-large other nanoparticles.
Source: Energy & Fuels
Language: English
Subfield: Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes
Field: Chemical Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: green
Funder: IFP Energies Nouvelles
OpenAlex ID: W7204895269