Overview of the KIER’s Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis – Present State and Perspective

Chung-Yul Yoo*, Hyung Chul Yoon*, Dae Sik Yun, Jong-Nam Kim
Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), Republic of Korea

NH3 Fuel Conference, Los Angeles, September 20, 2016

ABSTRACT

Ammonia has a potential as a carbon-free energy carrier since it contains 17.6wt% of hydrogen and can be easily stored and transported safely and efficiently. The state-of-the-art industrial process for ammonia production is the Haber-Bosch process. Although high temperature (450–500 °C) and pressure (150–300 bar) are used to dissociate triple-bonded nitrogen and to maximize the ammonia formation, the efficiency of the Haber–Bosch process is limited to 10–15%. Moreover, the process accompanies high greenhouse gases emission since hydrogen is produced from natural gas. In order to overcome the drawbacks of the Haber-Bosch process, the electrochemical ammonia synthesis has been developed as an alternative process.

Here, we present systematic investigations on the electrochemical ammonia synthesis from nitrogen and water using various solid state ion conductors and liquid electrolytes. The effects of temperature, applied current, and electrocatalyst on the ammonia formation rate will be discussed. Some of remaining challenges and economical aspects will be outlined for further research.

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OTHER NH3 FUEL CONFERENCE PAPERS

2014: Effects of cathodic materials on the electrochemical ammonia synthesis from water and nitrogen in molten salts at atmospheric pressure
2013: Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis from Water and Nitrogen using Solid State Ion Conductors
2012: Electrochemical Synthesis of Ammonia from Steam and Nitrogen Using an Oxygen-ion Conducting Electrolyte [PDF]

LINKS

Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER)
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