ABS turns to modeling, simulation to devise ammonia spill response

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) will create a detailed response system for ammonia leaks by using advanced modeling and simulation technologies.

PHOTO: The ABS uses CFD techniques to model the behavior of ammonia leaks. ABS

Ammonia has been widely promoted as an alternative fuel that can help decarbonize the shipping industry. While it can be potentially net-zero, ammonia is also a highly toxic fuel, making an ammonia spill extremely dangerous for marine ecology.

To tackle safety concerns around ammonia, ABS studied the behavior of ammonia plumes that could result from fuel line leakages, to come up with the optimum method for venting out the gas.

Now, the classification society will develop a dynamic model that can quickly predict the response of an ammonia plume under the impact of various factors like wind speed and direction, humidity, among others.

It will also study the response of crew, port authorities, and emergency services in the event of leakages.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online