Session: Technical Posters

Paper Number: 109040

109040 - Cyclic Variability of Low-Load Dual-Fuel Ammonia Combustion for Marine Applications Using a Port Fuel Injection System on a 6.7l Four-Stroke Diesel Engine 

Ammonia is a promising low-lifecycle-carbon fuel for marine applications due to its existing production, storage, and distribution network as well as storage advantages compared to the other zero-carbon-containing energy carrier, hydrogen. The high ignition energy, low flame speed, and extremely low cetane number of ammonia do not make it immediately well suited for use in single-fuel compression ignition or spark-ignition combustion systems. Dual-fuel combustion systems using a high-cetane pilot fuel (such as diesel fuel or heavy fuel oil) have been investigated for ammonia fueling solutions for marine applications. This paper explores the cyclic variability of a diesel-ignited dual-fuel ammonia strategy suitable for retrofits on four-stroke diesel engines used for inland and coastal marine applications as well for auxiliary power generation on ocean-going vessels. Experimental engine and emissions data for low-load conventional diesel and dual-fuel ammonia combustion are analyzed using techniques previously developed for analysis of stochastic and deterministic behaviors in dilute  SI and HCCI combustion regimes, and the dynamics of cycle-to-cycle variations are characterized. Data was taken using a 6.7L Cummins ISB diesel engine converted to operate as a single-cylinder engine. High-speed combustion data was acquired using flush-mount pressure transducers, and emissions were measured using an FTIR and a standard emissions bench.

Presenting Author: Scott Curran ORNL

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Scott Curran leads the Fuel Science and Engine Technologies Research Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). His research areas include advanced compression ignition experimental research including the development of advanced combustion concepts and investigating the fuel effects on advanced combustion modes. He is involved with low-lifecycle carbon fuels research for transportation and also leads natural gas research and analysis projects. He is also involved in vehicle systems research projects, well-to-wheels analysis for mobile and stationary power sources, the Sustainable ORNL Initiative and is an active collaborator with DOE Clean Cities for alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technology outreach and education and serves on the board of directors for the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition. He served as the vehicle lead for the ORNL Additive Manufacturing Integrated Energy (AMIE) project where ORNL 3D-printed a working range extender vehicle and a small house which share energy. He received his BS and MS in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville (UT). He completed his PhD degree in Energy Science and Engineering in 2014 within the UT/ORNL Bredesen Center becoming one of the first of two graduates from the program.