Surrey’s AFC Energy secures £675k to trial ammonia cracking tech at sea

Published by

Daniel Face

A consortium led by Cranleigh-based AFC Energy has received funding to design and integrate its ammonia cracker reactor technology out on the water.

The aim is to have marine-purposed internal combustion engines running on an energy-dense mix of hydrogen-rich gas and ammonia.

If successful, the company would target worldwide application across maritime vessels looking to adopt ammonia as a zero-carbon propulsion fuel.

The £675k investment comes as part of the clean maritime demonstration competition (CMDC4), funded by the UK Department of Transport and delivered by Innovate UK.

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AFC Energy is working with a number of project partners, including international engine design firm MAHLE Powertrain, injector and control valve manufacturers Clean Air Power, and the University of Nottingham, who will help test and evaluate the technology.

Funding commences in the first quarter of 2024, with results from the proof-of-concept demonstration expected early next year.

Adam Bond, chief executive at AFC Energy, said: “We’re pleased to have been recognised, along with our partners, by the government’s CMDC4 funding programme, highlighting further commercialization potential for our next generation ammonia cracker reactor.

“AFC Energy has been engaging with international shipyards, vessel owners and designers over the past year, and we believe the adoption of ammonia as a decarbonisation maritime fuel is yet another international market for our reactor.

“We look forward to providing industry with the results of this project and playing our role in enabling the maritime sector to achieve its sustainability targets.”

Daniel Face

Born and raised in Berkshire, Dan fell into journalism after completing his bachelor’s degree in English at UCL. Writing for The Business Magazine and local Biz News sites has given him the opportunity to chat with all manner of small business owners and share their success stories with a wider audience. Outside of work, Dan enjoys live music, board games and quiz shows, and is making a slow but persistent effort to learn Spanish.