Hanwha partners Baker Hughes to develop ammonia gas turbines
Hanwha Group plans to complete the development of liquefied natural gas carriers and containerships using the ammonia gas turbine propulsion system by 2028
The latest partnership follows on from Hanwha Power Systems and Hanwha Ocean obtaining approval in principle in September 2023 from the American Bureau of Shipping to apply ammonia gas turbines to liquefied natural gas carriers
MAJOR South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha has chosen to partner with global energy technology firm Baker Hughes to design and produce low-carbon ammonia gas turbines to meet its goal of producing ships using completely carbon-free propulsion.
Hanwha Power Systems and Hanwha Ocean signed a joint development and collaboration agreement with Baker Hughes to work on an ammonia gas turbine based on the latter’s small-sized turbine technology and a newly-developed ammonia combustion system created by Hanwha’s US unit PSM.
The turbine will be capable of 100% ammonia combustion, and dual-fuel operation with a natural gas and ammonia blend, and is expected to be a game-changing technology for large ships, enabling a completely carbon-free propulsion system.
The latest partnership follows on from Hanwha Power Systems and Hanwha Ocean obtaining approval in principle in September 2023 from the ABS to apply ammonia gas turbines to liquefied natural gas carriers.
PSM successfully completed an initial high-pressure ammonia combustion test campaign and Baker Hughes completed its initial turbine feasibility studies in 2024.
Hanwha Group declared its vision to produce the world’s first fossil fuel-free ship at the Davos Forum in January 2024. Hanwha Group plans to complete the development of LNG carriers and containerships using the ammonia gas turbine propulsion system by 2028.
Executive director Kim Hyeong-seok, head of Hanwha Power Systems’ marine solutions business department, said: “The paradigm of switching to lower-carbon fuel for ships is the calling of the times, and Hanwha Power Systems will continue to lead the development of innovative technologies for the entire life cycle of eco-friendly ships.”
Hanwha vice-president and head of Hanwha Ocean’s Product Strategy Technology Institute Son Young-chang added: “This collaborative development of a low-carbon ammonia gas turbine will be a significant turning point in the global shipbuilding and shipping industry, accelerating the transition to eco-friendly fuel propulsion for ships.”