Ammonia combustion and emissions in practical applications: A review
Open accessAbstract
Abstract Ammonia is emerging as a viable alternative to fossil fuels in combustion systems, aiding in the reduction of carbon emissions. However, its use faces challenges, including NOx emissions and low flame speed. Innovative approaches and technologies have significantly advanced the development and implementation of ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel. This review explores current advancements in using ammonia as a fuel substitute, highlighting the complexities that various systems need to overcome before reaching full commercial maturity in support of practical decarbonising global strategies. Different from other reviews, this article incorporates insights of various industrial partners currently working towards green ammonia technologies. The work further addresses fundamental complexities of ammonia combustion, crucial for its practical and industrial implementation in various types of equipment.
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The primary emissions concern when using ammonia directly as a fuel in thermal engines is the potential formation of NOx and unburnt ammonia slip, which can be mitigated through advanced combustion control strategies, SCR systems, and catalytic converters.
“Despite its benefits, the primary emissions concern when using ammonia directly as a fuel in thermal engines is the potential formation of NOx and unburnt ammonia slip, which can be mitigated through advanced combustion control strategies, SCR systems, and catalytic converters [305].”
From Biofuels, E-Fuels, and Waste-Derived Fuels: Advances, Challenges, and Future Directions (2025) · cites this paper as [305]
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References 218 · Cited by 146
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- Authors
- Alnajideen, M., Shi, H., Northrop, W., Emberson, D., Kane, S., Czyzewski, P., Alnaeli, M., Mashruk, S., Rouwenhorst, K., Yu, C., Eckart, S., & Valera-Medina, A.
- Affiliations
- Cardiff University (GB)
- Technische Universität Darmstadt (DE)
- University of Minnesota (US)
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NO)
- University of Twente (NL)
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (DE)
- TU Bergakademie Freiberg (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Alnajideen, Mohammad
- ORCID
- Venue
- Carbon Neutrality
- Published
- 2024-05-02
- Volume
- 3
- Issue
- 1
- ISSN
- 2731-3948 (ISSN-L)
- 2788-8614
- OpenAlex
- W4396596868
- Cited by
- 146
- References
- 218
- Citations by year
- 2026: 73 · 2025: 64 · 2024: 9
- FWCI
- 3.62
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Locations
- Carbon Neutrality (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (acceptedVersion)
- Repository KITopen (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- University of Twente Research Information (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- KITopen (cc-by)
- Funders
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/W005018/1)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Chemical Engineering › Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes › Advanced Combustion Engine Technologies
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Computational Mechanics › Combustion and flame dynamics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Advanced Power Generation Technologies
- Keywords
- ammonia combustion, ammonia fuel, NOx emissions, flame speed, decarbonization, carbon-free fuels, green ammonia, alternative fuels, carbon emission reduction
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