Co-optimization of Fuel, Engine and After-Treatment towards the IMO 2050 Target

Dear Colleagues,

In July 2023, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the historic 2050 net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) target. Using alternative fuels such as ammonia, methanol and biofuel is the most effective way to achieve the IMO target. Additional crucial targets include further improving the thermal efficiency of marine diesel engines and developing onboard carbon capture, utilization, and storage (OCCUS) technology are also crucial contributions to the decarbonization of the maritime sector.

Most alternative fuel options have different physicochemical characteristics compared to fuel oil, which has the potential to impact the engine performance and lead to other pollutant emissions that are not properly addressed by the current fuel oil-fueled marine engine and post-treatment systems. For example, the use of ammonia will lead to unburned ammonia emissions and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions with high GHG effects, while the use of methanol fuel will result in unregulated harmful emissions like formaldehyde (HCHO). As a result, co-optimization of fuel, engine, and aftertreatment is important for next-generation green marine propulsion systems. This Special Issue primarily focuses on the use of alternative fuels, improvement of marine engines and development of relevant after-treatment systems, as well as their co-optimization. Topics include, but are not limited to:

• The use of alternative fuels in marine engine;
• Improvements of marine diesel engine;
• Novel combustion theory, concept and technology for marine engine;
• Optical diagnostics, engine test, and high-fidelity numerical simulations;
• After-treatment system;
• Onboard carbon capture, utilization and storage (OCCUS);
• Marine hybrids power systems;
• Lifecycle techno-economic analysis and emissions analysis.

Prof. Dr. Tie Li
Dr. Xinyi Zhou
Guest Editors

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• marine engine
• IMO net-zero target
• alternative fuels
• ammonia
• methanol
• bio-fuel
• combustion
• pollutant emissions
• aftertreatment
• onboard carbon capture, utilization and storage