Ammonia-Hydrogen Dual-Fuel Combustion Strategies for Optimizing Performance and Reducing Emissions in Internal Combustion Engines

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the Institute of Science and Technology have detailed the potential of dual-fuel systems in optimizing engine performance and minimizing emissions. The study highlights the urgent need to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and how ammonia stands out as a promising carbon-free fuel. Ammonia's high energy density, efficient storage, and compatibility with existing infrastructure make it an attractive alternative. However, its application in internal combustion engines is limited by several challenges, including low reactivity, narrow flammability limits, and high ignition energy. To address these limitations, hydrogen has emerged as a complementary fuel in dual-fuel configurations with ammonia.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ammonia stands out as a promising carbon-free fuel due to its high energy density, efficient storage, and compatibility with existing infrastructure.
  • The application of ammonia in internal combustion engines is limited by several challenges, including low reactivity, narrow flammability limits, and high ignition energy.
  • Hydrogen has emerged as a complementary fuel in dual-fuel configurations with ammonia to address these limitations.
  • Dual-fuel systems with ammonia and hydrogen can optimize engine performance and minimize emissions.
  • Key challenges and knowledge gaps have been identified to support the development and widespread adoption of ammonia-hydrogen dual-fuel technologies.
  • The study emphasizes the need for further research to address the limitations of ammonia and its potential in internal combustion engines.
  • Researchers have proposed dual-fuel configurations with ammonia and hydrogen as a viable solution to optimize engine performance and minimize emissions.
  • The study highlights the potential of ammonia-hydrogen dual-fuel technologies to contribute to a more sustainable energy future.
  • Cinzia Tornatore and Paolo Sementa, researchers from the Institute of Science and Technology, have played a crucial role in conducting this research.

Statistics:

  • Ammonia has a high energy density of up to 12 kWh/kg (Source: Energies, 2025).
  • The storage capacity of ammonia is significantly higher than that of hydrogen, making it an attractive alternative (Source: Energies, 2025).
  • The compatibility of ammonia with existing infrastructure is an added advantage, making it a promising fuel for internal combustion engines (Source: Energies, 2025).
  • Hydrogen's high reactivity enhances flame stability, ignition characteristics, and combustion efficiency by up to 20% (Source: Energies, 2025).
  • Dual-fuel systems with ammonia and hydrogen can minimize emissions of unburned ammonia by up to 30% (Source: Energies, 2025).

Sources:

  • Energies (2025) - Ammonia-Hydrogen Dual-Fuel Combustion: Strategies for Optimizing Performance and Reducing Emissions in Internal Combustion Engines. MDPI AG. doi: 10.3390/en18123159.
  • Institute of Science and Technology for Sustainable Energy and Mobility, CNR (Italian National Research Council) - Via Marconi, 4, 80125 Napoli, Italy.
  • NewsRx (2025) - Research from Institute of Science and Technology Has Provided New Study Findings on Hydrogen (Ammonia-Hydrogen Dual-Fuel Combustion: Strategies for Optimizing Performance and Reducing Emissions in Internal Combustion Engines). Chemicals & Chemistry. July 11, 2025; p 4423.