Ammonia Production_FactSheet

Abstract

HIGHLIGHTS Ammonia-Ammonia is critical in the manufacturing of fertilizers, and is one of the largest-volume synthetic inorganic chemicals produced worldwide. Moreover, ammonia is an ideal carbon-free energy carrier and storage material 1. Processes and technology status-The main industrial procedure for the production of ammonia is Haber-Bosch process. In this process, nitrogen (N 2) reacts with hydrogen (H 2) under high pressures of 150 to 200 bar and temperature 500 °C. The overall reaction is N 2 + 3H 2 O → 2NH 3 + 3/2O 2. Feedstock for the Haber process are air and natural gas to supply N 2 and H 2 respectively. The other raw materials are coal and naphtha 2. Novel electric assisted technologies such as direct electrochemical ammonia synthesis and solid oxide electrolyzers are, also, under development 3. Cost-Capital investment for conventional Haber-Bosch facilities are essentially equivalent at 276.11 1 M€ 2017 for 2000-tpd capacity. Grundt et al. estimated capital expenses of 176.99 M€ 2017 for a 1000 tpd ammonia facility 4. Potential and barriers-Ammonia has the potential of being a carbon-free energy carrier. As the barrier, ammonia production requires high pressures and temperatures utilizing a large amount of energy and generating significant CO 2 emissions 5 .