An experimental analysis on a Stirling-engine-driven micro power-generation system integrated with a flat-flame burner powered by dimethyl ether fuel mixed with ammonia

The benefits of employing ammonia for power generation were experimentally quantified through the development of an electric generator system. This system consisted of a flat-flame burner, a Stirling engine, an AC generator, a charge controller, batteries, and some electric appliances. The fuel employed throughout this study was a mixture of dimethyl ether and ammonia. The system performance was quantified through electric power output, thermal-to-electric efficiency of the system, and multiple emission indices, which facilitated the estimation of combustion efficiency. Under the condition of a value of ammonia concentration of 10 % and heat input of 2000 W, the system generated 31.1 W of electric power. As the ammonia concentration increased to 40 %, the CO₂ emissions were decreased by approximately 42 % at the cost of a minor reduction in electric power output of 4 %. The combustion efficiency of the flat-flame burner was between 98.4 and 99.1 %, and the thermal-to-electric efficiency of the system was between 1.45 and 1.7 %. The results demonstrated that ammonia has the potential to phase out carbon-rich fuel (either fossil fuel or sustainable fuel such as dimethyl ether), thus mitigating the CO₂ emission that worsens the global warming problem.