Rostock. Climate-friendly ship fuels are becoming increasingly important regarding the maritime energy transition. In particular, the carbon-free and hydrogen-based fuel ammonia (NH3) is gaining relevance and is regarded as an important e-fuel. The current state of research and development in this area, however, still poses many questions and challenges - especially with regard to efficiency, costs, or the lifespan of components. This is where the consortium project “INNO-COMP NH3 Shipping,” led by Professor Bert Buchholz of the University of Rostock, comes in.

Consortium Project: "INNO-COMP NH3 Shipping"

The consortium project focuses on three themes: the development of materials and coatings for NH3 engines, the development of test methods for NH3 interaction with engine components and lubricants, and the analysis of exhaust aftertreatment components. Based on these investigations, AI-assisted predictions of service life and damage behavior will be derived.

At the Hydrogen Application Center of the Fraunhofer IGP in Warnemünde, the project consortium, together with the institute’s scientists, conducts long-duration NH3-operation tests of ship engines on the large-engine testing facility. Through this cooperation, existing synergies with fundamental research are expanded, and transfer to applied research together with industry is ensured.

“We are pleased to be an active part of the project. This collaboration gives us the opportunity to further research and development steps in the maritime energy transition and to better understand the behavior around the promising fuel ammonia,” said Dr.-Ing. Björn Henke, Team manager of Energy Converters at Fraunhofer IGP.

Fraunhofer IGP is also a leading member of the Industrial Advisory Board. This board consists of engine manufacturers, component manufacturers, and regional suppliers. In this way, the practical expertise and challenges from the field can flow directly into the consortium project, while scientific insights are directly reflected to future industry users.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wilko Flügge, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Large-Scale Structures in Production Engineering IGP, says: “The maritime industry faces growing challenges, especially with regard to fuel. Projects like this are immensely important not only for the maritime industry but also for the Mecklenburg-West Pomerania energy economy. They can pave the way for new energy carriers from renewable generation.”

Excellence Resarch in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

“INNO-COMP NH3 Shipping” is funded by the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania under the program “Exzellenzforschung in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern” for three years. The goal is to position Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as an attractive location for innovative and outstanding research.

The project is carried by an interdisciplinary consortium of eight partners:

• Prof. Bert Buchholz,  University of Rostock, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Chair of Piston Machines and Internal Combustion Engines (Project Coordination)
• Prof. Olaf Keßler University of Rostock, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Chair of Materials Engineering
• Prof. Ralf Zimmermann, University of Rostock, Institute of Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry
• Prof. Knut-Michael Henkel, University of Rostock, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Chair of Joining Technology
• Dr. Udo Armbruster, Leibniz Institute for Catalysis e.V., Catalytic Processes
• Prof. Berit Zeller-Plumhoff, University of Rostock, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Data-Driven Analysis and Design of Materials
• Prof. Wilko Flügge Fraunhofer Institute for Large Structures in Production Engineering IGP
• Dr. Alexander Vahl, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Research and Technology e.V., Surfaces & Technologies