Innovative Pathways to Green Ammonia Production using Metal Nitrides
Key Ideas
  • Ammonia synthesis through metal nitrides offers a promising green production pathway, eliminating the need for high pressures and catalysts.
  • Theoretical and experimental screenings were conducted on mono-metallic nitrides like Sr, Ca, Cr, and more to assess their viability.
  • The strontium-based cycle showed efficient NH3 synthesis at 1 bar, utilizing nitridation at 407°C and hydrogenation at 339°C.
  • Metal hydrides and metal imides formation contribute to closing the material cycle and enhancing ammonia production efficiency.
The article explores innovative approaches to green ammonia production by utilizing thermochemical cycles based on metal nitrides. Unlike the traditional Haber-Bosch process which involves high pressures, energy-intensive production, and greenhouse gas emissions, metal nitrides offer a more sustainable pathway. The research involved a combination of theoretical and experimental screenings on various mono-metallic nitrides like Sr, Ca, Cr, and more to identify potential candidates for ammonia synthesis. By leveraging thermodynamic data from density function theory computations and conducting thermogravimetric runs and mass balances, the study aimed to assess the efficacy of these metal nitrides in the two-step cycle - nitridation and hydrogenation. The strontium-based cycle emerged as a standout performer, demonstrating the ability to produce NH3 at atmospheric pressure by optimizing nitridation and hydrogenation temperatures. Furthermore, the formation of metal hydrides and metal imides was identified as a key factor in closing the material cycle and improving overall production efficiency. This research paves the way for a greener and more sustainable approach to ammonia synthesis, offering a potential solution to reduce the environmental impact of traditional ammonia production processes.
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