Performance Analysis of Ammonia in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

The transition of the marine propulsion system towards alternative fuels is mandatory to offset carbon emission. Among the alternative fuels, ammonia is carbon-free and can be produced in sustainable ways. Ammonia has 17.8% hydrogen (wt %) and is easily liquified at 25°C and 8 bar pressure. The two-stroke internal combustion engines currently used in the marine sector reach efficiencies of about 50% but generate substantial polluting emissions. Solid oxide fuel cells generate electricity with efficiencies greater than 50 % and can use ammonia as fuel. In this work, a single-cell SOFC was characterised using in-situ ammonia decomposition reaction (Int-ADR) and compared with ex-situ ammonia …