Process implications of electrifying ammonia production
(2023) Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering — Vol. 40, p. 100915 (2023)
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- Abstract
- Current ammonia production, based on Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) coupled to the Haber–Bosch (HB) process, is responsible for about 1.2% of global CO2 emissions. Therefore,also the NH3 industry is considering a full or partial electrification, for example, by replacing SMR-based with electrolytic H2 production. This paper critically considers the implications of such a shift for two alternative scenarios, namely combining HB with either low- or high-temperature electrolysis. Regarding emissions, electrification can indeed be beneficial with a cut of up to 96–99%, but only when using 100% renewable electricity rather than coupling to the currently still mainly fossil-driven grid. Also, energy efficiency can be improved, thanks to the availability of high-purity electrolytic hydrogen and electrical rather than steam-based compressors. However, due to the higher intrinsic energy demand of electrolytic H2, the total energy consumption (in GJ/t NH3) for both alternative scenarios exceeds that of the conventional process.
- Affiliations
Universiteit Gent Laboratory for Chemical Technology
Citations
Dechany, A., Van Geem, K., & Proost, J. (2023). Process implications of electrifying ammonia production. Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering, 40, 100915. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coche.2023.100915 (Original work published 2023)