What is it about?
This study uses advanced engine simulations to evaluate oxy-fuel combustion and onboard oxygen production in a large two-stroke marine engine, aiming to eliminate NOx emissions and simplify CO₂ capture.
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Why is it important?
The maritime sector contributes significantly to global greenhouse-gas emissions, yet ships are difficult to decarbonize due to high energy demand and long operating distances. This work demonstrates that large two-stroke engines can run on oxy-fuel combustion—burning fuel with pure oxygen instead of air—completely eliminating NOx emissions and producing an exhaust stream made only of CO₂ and water, which is ideal for carbon-capture systems. The study also designs and evaluates an onboard oxygen-generation system based on MIEC membranes, showing how ships could produce their own oxygen without needing heavy storage tanks. These results offer a realistic pathway toward cleaner long-distance shipping and future carbon-neutral vessel designs.
Perspectives
This research provides the first integrated assessment of oxy-fuel combustion and in-situ oxygen production in a large marine engine. Future work will incorporate full CO₂-capture modeling, assess real-scale integration challenges, and explore optimization at part-load operation. As oxygen-membrane technology advances, these findings can guide engine manufacturers, shipbuilders, and policymakers in adopting low-emission propulsion systems for cargo vessels.
Dr. Francisco José Arnau Martínez
Universitat Politecnica de Valencia
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Modeling and Evaluation of Oxy-Combustion and In Situ Oxygen Production in a Two-Stroke Marine Engine, Applied Sciences, September 2023, MDPI AG,
DOI: 10.3390/app131810350.
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