Decarbonisation Technology May 2026 Issue

real-time environmental factors, incorporating wind patterns, temperature variations, and atmospheric stability conditions. For maritime applications, simulations are used to model dispersion from releases via the venting mast, considered to be one of the major potential risks to crew, adjacent vessels and shoreside personnel. The critical insights generated from CFD simulations directly inform the development of emergency response plans. Live drills and exercises remain essential for validating emergency response plans, providing valuable experience to support tabletop exercises. These exercises offer realistic testing of procedures and comprehensive evaluation of physical resources and infrastructure, including emergency exits, communication systems, and medical equipment. Obtaining and evaluating results Following the initial insights gained through dispersion modelling

Figure 1 Ammonia bunkering vessel plume simulation

Figure 2 CFD simulations provide critical insights

identification that serves as the foundation for subsequent quantitative analysis and mitigation strategy development. Utilising CFD for dispersion modelling Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations represent a critical methodology in understanding ammonia plume behaviour during accidental releases, providing high- fidelity predictions that inform safety system design. These simulations model complex physical phenomena, including liquid ammonia vaporisation, vapour cloud formation, and dispersion patterns under different environmental conditions (see Figures 1 and 2 ). The technology enables engineers to visualise how ammonia plumes evolve in real- world scenarios, whether during ship-to-ship bunkering operations or within confined spaces such as engine rooms and fuel preparation areas. The sophistication of CFD analysis extends to

simulations such as CFD, the next critical step is conducting a Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA). The QRA process involves systematically quantifying identified hazards to determine their likelihood of occurrence and potential impacts. Results from CFD simulations provide critical input into the QRA by characterising ammonia dispersion behaviours under various accidental release scenarios. CFD outputs, such as the extent and concentration of ammonia plumes, areas of high exposure, and environmental influence, feed directly into risk models to estimate exposure probabilities and potential consequences for crew, vessel integrity, and surrounding environments. Moreover, comprehensive risk data obtained during HAZID and HAZOP workshops can also be used in the QRA process. HAZID sessions pinpoint high-risk scenarios and hazardous events by systematically exploring the vessel’s ammonia fuel system and related procedures,