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Researchers develop technology that makes ammonia a viable clean fuel, reducing emissions and expanding sustainable energy in engines.
The search for alternatives to fossil fuels has gained significant support with a discovery made by researchers from Tianjin University in China and Lund University in Sweden. The team led by Rui Yang developed a technology capable of stabilizing ammonia combustion in internal combustion engines, overcoming obstacles that have hindered its practical application for decades.
According to a publication by Springer Nature on April 15, 2026, the results are noteworthy because they allowed for the replacement of more than 80% of fossil fuels with ammonia and a reduction of over 70% in greenhouse gas emissions during tests conducted with engines under load. The advancement strengthens the potential of green ammonia as an alternative for sectors that still face challenges in reducing their carbon footprint.
New technique unlocks the potential of ammonia as a clean fuel
Ammonia is considered one of the most promising alternatives for the decarbonization of heavy transport and power generation. Unlike conventional fuels, it does not contain carbon in its chemical composition, a characteristic that attracts the interest of governments, companies, and research centers around the world.
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Despite the environmental advantages, its use in engines has always faced significant technical limitations. Among them are the low flame propagation speed and high ignition resistance, factors that hinder efficient and stable combustion.
These obstacles have kept ammonia closer to theory than commercial application for years.
Why ammonia combustion was considered a challenge
Traditional methods presented several operational problems. One of the most relevant was the so-called fuel slip, when part of the ammonia was not fully consumed during the combustion process.
Additionally, the following were also observed:
- Low energy efficiency;
- Difficulty of ignition under different conditions;
- High emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O);
- Greater complexity in maintaining flame stability.
N₂O deserves special attention because it is a greenhouse gas considered about 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO₂) in terms of global warming.
Researchers Bet on Thermal Atmosphere to Stabilize Engines
To overcome these limitations, researchers have created a system based on compression ignition of a thermal atmosphere.
The process occurs in multiple stages. First, a highly reactive fuel called n-heptane is introduced into the system. During compression, it generates a highly active atmosphere inside the cylinder.
This environment is marked by three main characteristics:
- High temperature;
- Significant increase in pressure;
- High concentration of reactive chemical radicals.
Only after this preparation is the liquid ammonia injected under high pressure.
According to the researchers, this scenario favors an almost instantaneous and much more stable autoignition.
How Diffusion Combustion Improves Engine Performance
The technology’s differential lies in the so-called diffusion combustion.
In this model, the efficiency of the reaction depends mainly on the mixture between fuel and air, rather than relying solely on the flame propagation within the combustion chamber.
In practice, this allows overcoming one of ammonia’s biggest limitations: its slow burning speed.
The researchers explain that the rich mixture created during the process also favors the non-catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx), contributing to reducing the formation of harmful pollutants.
The result is a more efficient, more stable, and environmentally friendlier ammonia combustion.
Ammonia Reduces More Than 70% of Emissions During Tests
The figures released by the research team help gauge the impact of the technology.
During the experiments, it was possible to achieve:
- More than 80% replacement of fossil fuels;
- More than 70% reduction in greenhouse gases;
- High operational stability even with engines under load;
- High thermal efficiency of the system.
These results reinforce the potential of ammonia as one of the alternatives being studied to reduce emissions in hard-to-decarbonize sectors.
Although the data is still linked to tests conducted by the team, they demonstrate a significant advancement for the area of low-emission fuels.
Sustainable energy may gain momentum in maritime transport
Among the sectors most benefited by the technology is the naval industry.
Experts point out that cargo ships are among the most difficult applications to electrify due to the enormous energy demand required for long-distance travel.
In this context, green ammonia emerges as a strategic alternative to complement global decarbonization efforts.
Several companies are already studying vessels capable of operating with alternative fuels, and the stabilization of ammonia combustion can accelerate this movement.
The expectation is that future engines will use the compound on a large scale without compromising performance or operational efficiency.
Temperature of 1,200 °C still limits applications in light vehicles
Despite the progress, some challenges remain.
The tests showed that stable combustion requires internal temperatures close to 1,200 °C inside the cylinder.
This value is necessary to compensate for the strong cooling effect caused by the high enthalpy of vaporization of ammonia during its evaporation.
While this is a viable condition for ships, locomotives, and thermal power plants, the requirement is still high for conventional cars and trucks.
Therefore, new research will need to seek solutions that allow the technology to be adapted for different categories of engines.
Clean fuel can accelerate industrial decarbonization
Besides maritime transport, other segments can benefit from the technology.
Among them are:
- Thermal power plants;
- Heavy rail transport;
- Industrial operations with high energy consumption;
- Large-scale power generation systems.
All these sectors face difficulties in completely replacing fossil fuels with electric alternatives.
In this scenario, ammonia gains relevance by offering a complementary route to reduce emissions without requiring radical changes in existing infrastructure.
Advancement brings zero-carbon engines closer to commercial reality
The work carried out by researchers from the universities of Tianjin and Lund represents an important step towards making ammonia a viable energy solution. By overcoming historical issues related to ignition and flame stability, the new technology brings zero-carbon engines closer to commercial application.
The results obtained — including more than 80% replacement of fossil fuels, over 70% reduction in emissions, and efficient operation under real conditions — show that ammonia combustion can play a strategic role in building a sustainable energy matrix for the coming decades. If advancements continue at the current pace, ammonia may cease to be just a technological promise and become an important piece in the global energy transition.
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