ABS uses modeling and simulation to tackle ammonia safety issues

While ammonia is one of the leading candidates as a future zero-carbon fuel for shipping, its high toxicity presents significant operational challenges on board and ashore. To address ammonia safety issues, ABS is using advanced modeling and simulation technologies to develop emergency response methods to assist ports and crew in responding to ammonia leaks or spills.

It is the first step towards a comprehensive and fast ammonia release response system, capable of predicting the behavior of an ammonia plume and directing emergency mitigation services accordingly.

Putting its expertise in modeling and simulation to use in examining ammonia safety issues, ABS combined those techniques with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to create a high-fidelity model designed to replicate ammonia dispersion patterns in the engine room. Using this new model, ABS specialists studied the impact of various ventilation approaches on the behavior of ammonia plumes resulting from leakages from the fuel lines, revealing optimum methods to vent the ammonia plume.

Leveraging this approach, a dynamic model will be able to swiftly predict the response of an ammonia plume to a range of parameters such as wind speed and direction, humidity, cubic meters per second and relationship of the vessel to port. In addition to dispersion analysis, agent-based discrete event simulations to study the response of crew, port authorities, and emergency services after dispersion will be conducted.

“ABS has always been a safety pioneer, so we are well placed to tackle the significant operational risks presented by this critical piece of the net-zero jigsaw puzzle,” said ABS chairman, president and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. “Our advanced simulation and modeling approach is already shining a light on the unique behaviors of this fuel in a range of scenarios. This will inform the strategies of ports, crews and emergency services and enable immediate and informed response to an ammonia release. This is the sweet spot for ABS, the nexus of advanced technology, regulation and safety and we are on course to deliver a significant safety development for the industry.”

More information from ABS on the potential of ammonia as a marine fuel is available: absinfo.eagle.org/acton/media/16130/sustainability-whitepaper-ammonia-as-marine-fuel

ABS requirements for ammonia-fueled vessels are available : ww2.eagle.org/content/dam/eagle/rules-and-guides/current/other/325-requirements-for-ammonia-fueled-vessels/325-ammonia-fueled-vessels-reqts-july22.pdf