Fangyu Zhang
Ammonia fuelled range extender development for electric vehicles.
Email: f.zhang14@ncl.ac.uk
Project supervisors
Project description
I will develop a new zero-carbon propulsion system. The system combines an ammonia fuelled external combustion engine with battery and electric motor. It will replace petrol and diesel based range extender solutions.
I will design an ammonia combustor. I will establish the first coupled simulation model of an ammonia-fuelled range extender. I will also develop the first testing rig with ammonia combustor and expander for power generation development. I will use this for a feasibility and optimisation study.
The entire study will consist of simulations using software such as Ansys Chemkin, Siemens Star CCM+ and Siemens LMS Imagine. I will use Lab AMESim and essential combustor and expander experiments for model validation. I will compare several kinds of powertrains. From this, I will find an optimal powertrain configuration of an extended-range electric vehicle. The vehicle will have a desirable cruising range, a higher overall efficiency, a higher power density and cleaner emissions.
The research will have an impact on both the academic and industrial sectors. Specifically, the project will contribute to combustor design, engine design, the automobile industry, electrical and electronics. It will provide materials and foundation for further research.
Qualifications
BEng in Energy and Power Engineering from Shanghai Maritime University