UNSW Sydney researchers and their collaborators have developed a new technique for sustainable ammonia production.
Currently utilising high-energy processes, ammonia production contributes 2% of the world’s energy and 1.8% of its CO2 emissions.
Researchers have developed a method that enhances energy efficiency and makes environmentally friendly ammonia economically feasible by eliminating the need for high temperatures, pressure, and extensive infrastructure.
The paper published in Applied Catalysis B: Environmental demonstrates that the authors’ developed process has significantly improved large-scale green ammonia synthesis’s energy efficiency and production rate.
The research, previously published by the same group, has been licensed to Australian industry partner PlasmaLeap Technologies through the UNSW Knowledge Exchange program and is set to be translated into the Australian agriculture industry, with a prototype already scaled up and ready for deployment.
The UNSW research group’s recent study, which followed a three-year proof-of-concept, has shown significant improvements in energy efficiency and production rate, thereby enhancing commercial profitability.
Despite being energy-intensive and relying heavily on fossil fuels and hydrogen sources, the conventional ammonia production process has significantly increased crop yields and supported the global population growth.
Dr Ali Jalili, study leader and a former Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow at UNSW, emphasises the importance of sustainable ammonia production for global net zero goals.
“Currently, the traditional method of producing ammonia — known as the Haber-Bosch process — accounts for 2.4 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of ammonia, equivalent to approximately 2 per cent of global carbon emissions. Additionally, Haber-Bosch is economically viable only in large-scale and centralised facilities. Consequently, the transportation from these facilities to farms will increase the CO2 emission by 50 per cent,” Dr Jalili explained.
“Ammonia-based fertilisers are in critically short supply due to international supply chain disruptions and geopolitical issues, which impact our food security and production costs,” Dr Jalili stated.
“This, together with its potential for hydrogen energy storage and transportation, makes ammonia key to Australia’s renewable energy initiatives, positioning the country among the leaders in renewable energy exports and utilisation,” Dr Jalili added.
Dr Jalili emphasises the need for a decentralised and energy-efficient production method to fully harness the potential of intermittent energy sources for cities and farms, addressing both economic and logistical challenges.
