KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 7): National utility Tenaga Nasional Bhd's (TNB) wholly-owned subsidiaries, TNB Research Sdn Bhd (TNBR) and TNB Power Generation Sdn Bhd (TNB Genco), together with IHI Power System Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Petronas Hydrogen Sdn Bhd have successfully conducted an ammonia co-combustion test as part of a joint initiative to decarbonise the country's power sector.

The ammonia and coal co-combustion test was recently carried out at TNBR's test rig facility in Kajang, Selangor.

TNB said the main objective of the experiment is to determine the impact of co-firing ammonia as carbon-free fuel together with coal in a coal-fired power generation system. Theoretically, ammonia co-firing could significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, which suppresses nitrogen oxide while stabilising combustion.

In a statement on Sunday (Aug 7), TNB said the experiment of ammonia co-firing was successful with CO2 and sulfur dioxide emissions being reduced in accordance with the co-firing rate.

"There was no generic ammonia detected at the exit of the furnace during the experiment. The flame temperatures for both cases of coal and co-firing do not vary significantly. The result seems to be in favour of the experiment objective towards decarbonisation, which would be a great opportunity for TNB to move forward in having pilot plants upon obtaining approval from the authorities.

"The ammonia ratio is increased gradually from 0% up to 60% for each coal type experiment. Besides CO2 emission, the test is to observe the impact on boilers, flame stability, amount of unburned coal, flue gas properties, sulphur oxide measurement, coal slagging and fouling," it added.

The co-combustion test was led by IHI, an expert in the development of ammonia combustion technology, while Petronas Hydrogen's role in the experiment is supplying ammonia and the associated equipment.

TNBR, which owns the test rig facility, supported the experiment through co-combustion execution that included manpower, utility, and measurement devices. TNB Genco provided three types of coal currently being used in its existing coal power plant for the experiment.

The experiment was also in support of the government's initiative to reach the target of 45% greenhouse gas intensity reduction by 2030.