The project will seek to establish a new NH3/CH4 cycle and a laboratory-based device for the recovery and use of ammonia produced during the steel making process in the blast furnaces located at Port Talbot, Wales. Ammonia will be stored and used for GT power generation or warming up of the furnaces after maintenance periods, while supporting CO2 scrubbing, thus decreasing emissions, generating high peak power and minimizing energy bills. For power generation and heating up ammonia will be co-fired with methane in a bespoke swirl burner to produce peak energy for other auxiliary processes. Some of the remaining ammonia will be used to scrub CO2 from the power/heating process. Ammonia/CO2 blends will be assessed at different temperatures to ensure efficient reaction with CO2, thus serving as a catalytic promotor to minimize emissions whilst providing energy storage for high energy peak periods or high price methane seasons.

Research work will include: I) creating a new power cycle via advanced software (Aspen and CHEMKIN Pro). ii) Performing advanced combustion tests with innovative blends and measuring techniques (PLIF NH2, OH Chemiluminescence, PMT Thermoacoustics), iii) using novel models (low-order networks) to determine the complex stability of such flames, iv) developing materials capable of performing the separation of NH3 in the flue gases. Finally, since the work will be performed with TATA on the basis of current data, this will ensure the development of a industrially relevant concept.