RestartNH3 - Energy functional processes and materials for storage of renewable energy in ammonia
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
Abstract
When Carl Bosch and Fritz Haber received their Nobel prize for the discovery of the artificial nitrogen fixation process (the Haber-Bosch process), they acknowledged that there might be other ways of producing ammonia. Over a century later, we are still using the same fossil fuel-dependent process and a very similar catalyst. Now, the time has arrived to restart the role of ammonia beyond feeding over 50 % of the population as fertiliser. In a carbon-free society, ammonia (with a high energy density and a well-established transport infrastructure) is anticipated to be the lynchpin for the long-term storage of renewable energy to align its production with our energy demands. RestartNH3 will provide a ground-breaking recycle-less ammonia synthesis process, driven exclusively by renewable energy, water and air. Its fundamental pillars will be the development of energy functional nano-materials as low temperature ammonia catalysts and high temperature absorbents. Innovative technological advances will build on these revolutionary capabilities through the pioneering integration of the reaction and separation steps into a recycle-less process as well as a self-sustained, energy-efficient regeneration of absorbents via a unique heat integration strategy. RestartNH3 will deliver an agile (fast response), efficient (high energy storage), distributed (low capital versus the economy of scale of the conventional Haber Bosch process) ammonia synthesis process aligned to the intermittent and geographically isolated production of renewable energy. As a result, we will be able to store renewable energy in their production points, to be stored long-term and transported in the form of ammonia. Such a process has the potential to create a new global carbon-free energy trade system similar to the existing one around fossil fuels, essential to fulfil our carbon-free ambitions and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Laura Torrente Murciano (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
El-Kadi J
(2024)
The potential of green ammonia in the de-fossilization of the steel, glass and cement industries.
in Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences
Torrente-Murciano L
(2024)
The forefront of chemical engineering research
in Nature Chemical Engineering
Torrente-Murciano L
(2023)
Process challenges of green ammonia production
in Nature Synthesis
| Description | In this project, we are developing new technologies to enable the synthesis of green ammonia using exclusively H2 (from water), N2 (from air) and renewable energy (solar and wind). The current synthesis of ammonia depends on fossil fuels and it is responsible of ~ 2% of the global CO2 production. The decarbonisation of the process is technologically viable today however, it is very expensive in comparison to fossil-fuel derived ammonia. The main challenges are associated to the intermittent nature of renewable energy. In this project, we are investigating the use of absorption as an alternative way of separating ammonia during its production, which enables the synthesis at much lower pressures (20 bars rather than 250 bars) and thus, makes the process able to follow the energy input easily. We are studying the thermodynamics, kinetics and materials for absorption of ammonia to develop new processes. In addition, we are developing algorithms to understand the optimum design configuration of green ammonia processes. In contrast to fossil-fuel derived ones, using a continuous supply of energy, the design of green ammonia processes have to be tailored to their location as they depend on the weather patterns which dictate the renewable energy production as a function of time. We are understanding how short-term (day/night) and long-term (seasonal, inter-annual) variations affect the optimum design and ultimate the cost of ammonia to facilitate its industrial deployment and economic feasibility. |
| Exploitation Route | We are in conversations with a number of stakeholders, mainly start-ups working on green hydrogen production but also energy developers and technology providers to adopt different aspects of this work. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Energy Transport |
| Description | European Innovation Council - Harnessing Renewables for a Sustainable Future: Exploring CCU, Power-to-X and Solar-to-X Innovations |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://sunergy-initiative.eu/event/harnessing-renewables-for-a-sustainable-future-exploring-ccu-pow... |
| Description | Policy briefing - Green Carbon for the Chemical Industry by Royal Society |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Policy briefing by Royal Society on "Ammonia: zero-carbon fertiliser, fuel and energy" |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | https://royalsociety.org/-/media/policy/projects/green-ammonia/green-ammonia-policy-briefing.pdf |
| Description | Policy briefing by Royal Society on "De-fosilising the chemical industry" |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://royalsociety.org/-/media/policy/projects/defossilising-chemicals/defossilising-chemical-indu... |
| Description | Royal society UK-China discussion on decarbonisation |
| Geographic Reach | Asia |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://sunergy-initiative.eu/event/harnessing-renewables-for-a-sustainable-future-exploring-ccu-pow... |
| Description | A paradigm shift in nitrogen activation for green ammonia synthesis |
| Amount | £200,617 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/X016757/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 09/2024 |
| Title | Dataset associated with the publication "The importance of dynamic operation and renewable energy source on the economic feasibility of green ammonia." |
| Description | The dataset contains the results for the cost of optimized green ammonia production when using solar energy in Cambridge, wind energy in Cambridge, solar energy in Madrid, and various model sine waves of energy supply. Ammonia production is model to use either the Haber-Bosch process with constant production, the Haber-Bosch process with variable production, an absorption enhanced process, or the single-vessel process of integrated reaction and absorption. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Unknown |
| URL | https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/361199 |
| Title | Research data supporting "The potential of Green Ammonia for Agricultural and Economic Development in Sierra Leone" |
| Description | These data provides the input information to construct a spacial model for rice production and consumption in Sierra Leone and resolve the mass balances, cost equations and energy storage capacity. Information includes a table of current hydroelectric sites, the 48 population centres in which the country is divided in the model, the rice production and area of each of these centres, total rice consumption, current fertliser prices, estimation of agricultural yields, coffee cultivation and amount of fertilisers applied for rice cultivation |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | These data provides the input information to construct a spacial model for rice production and consumption in Sierra Leone and resolve the mass balances, cost equations and energy storage capacity useful for other researchers to build similar models. |
| URL | https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/315825 |
| Title | Supporting Data Exceeding single-pass equilibrium with integrated absorption separation for ammonia synthesis using renewable energy - redefining the Haber-Bosch loop |
| Description | Selected annotated data results as presented in "Exceeding single-pass equilibrium with integrated absorption separation for ammonia synthesis using renewable energy - redefining the Haber-Bosch loop." This excel workbook contains the crucial but not exhaustive data for ammonia catalysts and absorbents as presented in the associated publication. This dataset is intended to be supplementary to the associated publication rather than self-contained. Fig 1d,1e,3c: This excel sheet contains the data for testing of the catalyst Ru/Cs/CeO2 with varying N2:H2 ratios. In addition to three profiles of conversion with temperature, equilibrium lines and the best fit kinetic model are included. Details of the kinetic model can be found in the associated article. Also included are the conversion profiles with temperature for several other catalysts. All catalysts were tested at 21 barg in a flow reactor where the data measurement consisted of the change of flow through the system due to reaction. Fig2c: This sheet contains the condensed data for comparison of three ammonia absorbents. The absorbents are compared in terms of the amount of ammonia removed per gram absorbent per pressure of ammonia over time. Further details of the absorbent characteristics can be found in the associated article. Fig2d: this sheet contains the performance data for the absorbent MnCl2/SiO2 at four different temperatures over time. The absorbent performance is measurement by the amount of ammonia removed per gram of absorbent. Also included in this sheet are the best fit model for absorption kinetics. Details about the kinetic model can be found in the associated article. Fig3b 1-3 to 2-1: These sheets contain the data for a combined catalyst and absorbent system in which at time zero gas flow from a catalyst bed is diverted to an absorbent bed and second catalyst bed in series. The change in flow with time is a measurement of the amount of ammonia absorbed/produced. The three sheets are divided according to the ratio of N2:H2 (1:3, 1:1, 2:1). Also included in these sheets are the model predictions when utilizing the previously determined kinetic models for catalyst and absorbent independently. Details of the experimental/kinetic methodology can be found in the associated publication. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Provides information about catalysis and absorbents for ammonia synthesis used by other researchers in their models. |
| URL | https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/318030 |
| Description | Johnson Matthey (John Brightling and Monica Garcia) - Ammonia group |
| Organisation | Johnson Matthey |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We are testing JM commercial catalysts on the new ammonia synthesis technologies we are developing to cope with the intermittencies of renewable energy. We are also testing new ammonia cracking commercial catalysts to evaluate the effect of water on their activity and stability. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Johnson Matthey has provided a number of materials and catalysts for our work including information on their optimum reduction conditions. |
| Impact | We have published a paper describing the use of their KATALKO-74 catalyst in our new system: Johnson Matthey Technology Review 66 (4), 435-442, 2022 |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Prof Geoff Moggridge |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Department | Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The group is an expert in reactor design and process integration providing additional expertise on the thermodynamics governing the synthesis of green ammonia. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Prof Geoff Moggridge is an expert on thermodynamics and he is providing useful insights on some of the scientific challenges we are facing in some of the projects related to the synthesis of green ammonia. He is an advisor of some of the members in the group and he is involved in scientific discussion. |
| Impact | This collaboration has resulted in a joint UKIR grant as part of the New Horizons 2021 call entitled "A paradigm shift in nitrogen activation for green ammonia synthesis" where we are investigating new routes for the synthesis of green ammonia |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Siemens Gamesa/ Siemens Energy (Bugra Kayaalp) |
| Organisation | Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy |
| Country | Spain |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The aim of the collaboration is to investigate novel ammonia synthesis designs with the objective of using renewable energy produced via wind turbines to power this process. Siemens Gamesa/Energy as one of the largest wind turbine manufactures in the world recognise the need for decarbonisation and together through this project want to investigate the feasability of using ammonia as an energy vector to act as a buffer to balance the supply and demand of the electricity grid |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and expertise on off-shore wind energy production |
| Impact | TBA |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Siemens Gamesa/Siemens Energy Collaboration, Industrial Supervisor Bugra Kayaalp |
| Organisation | Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy |
| Country | Spain |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The aim of the collaboration is to investigate novel ammonia synthesis designs with the objective of using renewable energy produced via wind turbines to power this process. Siemens Gamesa/Energy as one of the largest wind turbine manufactures in the world recognise the need for decarbonisation and together through this project want to investigate the feasibility of using ammonia as an energy vector to act as a buffer to balance the supply and demand of the electricity grid |
| Collaborator Contribution | Siemens provided funding for a PhD student working on a related project to this grant. They also provide supervision support to guide research aim and objectives. |
| Impact | Siemens to provide funding and an industrial supervisor. The industrial supervisor provides some direction and guidance of the project through regular meetings. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | University of Oulu |
| Organisation | University of Oulu |
| Country | Finland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Member of the Aacademic advisory board for the H2FUTURE programme to create solutions for green hydrogen production (https://www.oulu.fi/en/research/hydrogen-future-and-sustainable-steel/hydrogen-future-climate-change-solution) |
| Collaborator Contribution | Networking opportunities with academics and industry |
| Impact | TBA |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Aranjuez summer course on "Scientific progress for a sustainable society and economy" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Online lecture explaining the role of green ammonia in the decarbonisation of our society |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023,2024 |
| Description | BBC 1 Feature |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Joseph El Kadi and Collin Smith were featured on BBC One igniting hydrogen balloons in the lead-up to their interactive Cambridge Festival talk 'Fuel of the Future' which discusses the potential of ammonia to serve as a future fuel or energy vector in a carbon-free society |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Cambridge Festival - NH3 Energy For the Future |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on the future role of ammonia as a carbon-free energy vector followed by hydrogen balloon ignition demonstration to show amount of energy stored in a few millilitres of ammonia |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022,2023,2024 |
| Description | Cambridge Festival 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on the future role of ammonia as a carbon-free energy vector followed by hydrogen balloon ignition demonstration to show amount of energy stored in a few millilitres of ammonia |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Cambridge Festival 2025 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Ammonia talk and demonstration |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Chelmsford Science and Engineering Society talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Green ammonia for a carbon-free society presentation given to Chelmsford Society active since 1920 with older members with industrial experience as well as early career individuals |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Decarbonising Fuels industrial workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | we presented an overview on our work with ammonia and we participated in workshop involving brainstorming, facilitating collaborations and identifying key challenges and bottlenecks |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |