Electrification of Ammonia Synthesis

Presented on November 18, 2020 during the Ammonia Energy Conference 2020

Download this Presentation Download a PDF version of this presentation.

Abstract

Near-term prospects for decarbonized ammonia synthesis rely on conventional thermochemical Haber Bosch coupled to either electrochemical hydrogen production or methods of mitigating carbon emissions, such as carbon capture and storage. Thermochemical Haber Bosch requires high temperatures to achieve significant rates of ammonia synthesis and high pressures in order to achieve reasonable conversions of nitrogen and hydrogen to ammonia. Next-generation electrically-driven routes raise the prospect of using voltage in the place of temperature and pressure – an ambient pressure and room temperature route through which renewable electricity can be used to convert nitrogen and hydrogen to ammonia.

Electrically-driven routes for nitrogen fixation remain relatively immature and there are significant technical challenges to be overcome in order to achieve high rates and energy efficiencies. Our lab has developed a semi-batch lithium-mediated approach to ammonia synthesis, achieving the highest rates of nitrogen fixation at ambient conditions. Specifically, we have developed a gas diffusion electrode technology which allows for significantly improved rates of nitrogen fixation with suppression of competing hydrogen evolution. We will discuss these technical advances in the context of remaining challenges for future methods of electrically-driven ammonia synthesis.

Lazouski, N., Chung, M., Williams, K. et al. Non-aqueous gas diffusion electrodes for rapid ammonia synthesis from nitrogen and water-splitting-derived hydrogen. Nat Catal 3, 463–469 (2020)

Topics Electrochemical Ammonia

Authors Karthish Manthiram

Madoqua Power2X webinar on Tuesday, November 26

Please join us for this informative webinar. Click here to register and get the details!

Annual Conference highlights industry advancements

It was an exciting three days in New Orleans with 300 attendees from 22 countries participating in our 21st AEA Annual Conference. Thank you to our generous sponsors and to all those who attended the conference. Stay tuned for a recap of the events and sessions. Presentations from all the sessions will be posted shortly.

Featured content

In 2023, AEA reached many milestones. Read about them in our 2023 Annual Report.