CNH2, partner in the European project “APOLO” to advance the decarbonisation of maritime transport through ammonia
The Spanish National Hydrogen Centre (CNH2) becomes partner in the European APOLO project (Advanced POwer conversion technoLogies based on Onboard ammonia cracking through novel membrane reactors), a research and innovation project aimed at developing advanced energy conversion technologies based on ammonia cracking for maritime applications.
APOLO is coordinated by Fundación Tecnalia Research & Innovation and runs from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2027. The project receives €7,511,266.25 in funding from the European Union through the Horizon Europe programme, under call HORIZON-CL5-2023-D5-01 and topic HORIZON-CL5-2023-D5-01-11. The grant is managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).
The project also contributes to the objectives of the European Zero Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT) partnership, which focuses on accelerating the development of solutions that enable progress towards climate-neutral maritime transport.
APOLO brings together research centres, universities and companies specialising in membrane technologies, ammonia cracking, fuel cells, engines, ammonia production, shipbuilding, sustainability assessment, safety, certification and exploitation of results.
Alongside CNH2, the Consortium includes Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Tecnalia, Nuvera Fuel Cells, Chalmers University of Technology, 1CUBE, H2SITE, HYSTER-YALE ITALIA SPA, Corvus Energy, Fertiberia, LEC GmbH, Astander and Bureau Veritas; Johnson Matthey and NAVANTIA also collaborate.
APOLO aims to develop efficient, flexible and scalable ammonia cracking technology. Through this process, ammonia is converted into a hydrogen-rich stream that can subsequently be used in fuel cells or internal combustion engines, facilitating the use of this energy carrier in maritime transport.
The consortium is working on the development and validation of two 125 kW energy conversion demonstrator systems. The first integrates an ammonia cracking system to obtain high-purity hydrogen with a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The second combines a partial ammonia cracking system with a four-stroke engine, with an expected efficiency of over 45%, and incorporates a selective catalytic reduction system to minimise emissions of nitrogen oxides.
Role of the Spanish National Hydrogen Centre
Within APOLO, CNH2 will contribute to the integration, commissioning and experimental validation of the energy conversion system based on ammonia cracking.
To this end, it will contribute its experience in operating hydrogen prototypes at an industrial site (Fertiberia’s infrastructure), participating in the definition of test protocols, the monitoring of operating conditions and the assessment of parameters such as the flow rate, pressure and purity of the hydrogen produced, the overall system efficiency, its response under different conditions and the stability of operation.
The Centre will also contribute to the analysis of the integration between the cracking reactor, the auxiliary systems and the fuel cell, as well as to the identification of safety, control and operational requirements that enable progress towards reliable, flexible and scalable solutions for future application in maritime transport.
Further information:
Official APOLO project website
APOLO project — Grant Agreement No. 101138466
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
