Experimental investigation and evaluation of hybrid ammonia fuel options for power generators

Abstract

This research thesis aims to make use of ammonia as a possible fuel source for power generators by performing an experimental study on a gasoline generator with an ammonia based gasoline fuel blend. Then, the combustion is modelled by using different types of fuel sources which are; hydrogen, gasoline, diesel, ethanol, methanol, propane, butane and natural gas to see the effects of ammonia on these fuels. In the experimental studies the exhaust temperatures, power output, CO2 emissions, overall energy and exergy efficiencies of the generator are measured in between 369.9 Co to 480.1 Co, 3689.2 W to 3572.8 W and 2.535 g/s to 2.4916 g/s, 35.7 % to 28.74% and 44.85 % to 36.4 %, respectively with the increase of ammonia percentage in the fuel blend. The reduction in the performance measures are as expected but the reduction in CO2 emissions will be worth using ammonia with a combustion promoter.