[ ammonia ]
Green ammonia production : harnessing green hydrogen
Ammonia , a cornerstone of the global food supply chain , has traditionally been produced through carbon-intensive methods . This article discusses the need for and potential of green ammonia , which is produced by integrating green hydrogen with the Haber-Bosch process . It highlights the challenges such integration presents , innovative solutions to overcome them , and the positive impact of doing so .
By Felipe Gallardo , CEO ; and Anton Frisk , CPO , Southern Lights
The need for ammonia
The central role of ammonia ( NH 3
) in the global food supply chain is well-established , and its significance as a feedstock for nitrogen-release fertilizers is undeniable . In fact , 70 % of global ammonia production is used as a feedstock for fertilizer production , such as urea ( CO ( NH 2
) 2
), 1 which is the most common nitrogen-release fertilizer ( N-fertilizer ), accounting for 49 % of global N-fertilizer consumption in 2020 . 2 The remaining 30 % of global ammonia production is utilized in various industrial applications , including the production of plastics and explosives , 1 the latter being of paramount importance to the mining sector .
It has been estimated that 50 % of the human population relies on N-fertilizer , and therefore on ammonia , to secure their food supply . 3 Moreover , N-fertilizers are primarily used in wheat ( 18.2 %), rice ( 15.2 %), and maize ( 17.8 %) production . 4 These cereals are often referred to as the pillars of human nutrition , accounting for 35 % of the average human ’ s calorie intake . 5 However , the environmental implications of traditional ammonia production methods , especially the Haber-Bosch process , are becoming increasingly concerning . These processes , while efficient , account for a significant chunk of global energy consumption
24 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 12 | October 2023