A team of researchers at the University of Sydney have succeeded in producing gaseous ammonia, a strategic substance for agriculture and the future energy transition.
The clean alternative for producing ammonia gas
The procedure for synthesizing ammonia is known as the Haber-Bosch process, and has been the mainstay of the chemical industry for more than a century. However, its high energy consumption and dependence on natural gas have prompted the search for cleaner options. This new system developed in Australia allows ammonia to be generated directly from the air using electricity, replacing the use of polluting fuels and high pressures.
[post_relacionado]The team is led by Professor PJ Cullen, who has designed a method that excites molecules in the air by plasma, similar to an artificial lightning bolt. These activated molecules are then passed through a membrane electrolyzer, where ammonia is produced in gaseous form. Unlike previous attempts that generated ammonia in liquid solution, this method allows a direct and more efficient conversion.
Ammonia is vital in the manufacture of fertilizers that support half of the world’s food production. In addition, its potential as a hydrogen carrier makes it an essential building block in the transition to a carbon-free economy. In particular, some sectors such as shipping consider it a viable option as an alternative fuel.
In addition, one of the objectives of the project is to enable decentralized ammonia decentralized production of ammonia, facilitating itsfacilitating its production in remote or agricultural locations without the need for long-distance transport. The University of Sydney team has been refining this approach for six years and is currently working on improving the energy efficiency of the electrolysis component.
Although the process has proven to be scalable in its plasma stage, the researchers now aim to optimize the performance of the electrolyzer. The ultimate goal is to achieve a fully competitive alternative to Haber-Bosch, enabling sustainable industrial-scale production without representative emissions.
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Source and photo: The University of Sydney