Ammonia as a hydrogen vehicle has the potential to make a significant contribution to the energy transition: "Ammonia can also be produced from green hydrogen and nitrogen in sunny and windy but remote regions - for example in the North African desert. The energy carrier is liquefied for transport to Europe, usually by ship. For this purpose, we are developing an integrated reactor technology with dynamic operating strategies, which allows operation with fluctuating renewable energy sources," explains Prof. Dr. Christopher Hebling, Division Director Hydrogen Technologies at Fraunhofer ISE.

In contrast to the conventional Haber-Bosch process, the PtA process allows the use of more active synthesis catalysts thanks to the high purity of the electrolysis-based "green" hydrogen. These can operate at lower temperatures, which increases the thermodynamically possible ammonia yield and thus enables operation at lower pressures and without recycling of unconsumed reactants. For the project, the Japanese partner FREA-AIST has developed a novel ruthenium catalyst that enables synthesis at much milder process conditions with temperatures below 400 °C and pressures below 80 bar. This catalyst can already be produced by japanese companies on a semi-industrial scale (TRL > 7). In order to increase the yield even further, Fraunhofer ISE and the University of Ulm are investigating the integrated separation of ammonia: The reaction and the separation of ammonia take place in-situ in an integrated reactor. In this way, the operating pressure can be minimized and the recirculation of unreacted feed gas can be avoided. "Since compressors and heat exchangers are the biggest cost drivers in conventional ammonia synthesis, accounting for 90 percent of investment costs, these improvements offer enormous potential for the economic viability of flexible ammonia production plants that can also be used in remote regions," says Dr.-Ing. Ouda Salem, group leader Power to Liquids at Fraunhofer ISE. This means that complex infrastructure is no longer necessary and ammonia production can be carried out on a much smaller scale. This offers the potential to tailor the novel PtA process for the use of renewable energy sources even in remote regions. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Robert Güttel, head of the Institute of Chemical Engineering at the University of Ulm, adds, "We can also make much better use of hydrogen and nitrogen if no recycling is required, so we can significantly increase the material and energy efficiency of the entire PtA process. "

In the project, the transfer of the new PtA concept from laboratory to pilot plant scale is already to be realized. While the focus at the University of Ulm is on the laboratory scale, extensive experimental studies are being carried out in the pilot plant at Fraunhofer ISE. Robert Güttel: "The experimental findings at both scales are linked by detailed mathematical modeling and simulation. In this way, we can even already make reliable predictions for the pilot scale and accelerate the implementation of the integrated reactor concept. ". In addition to the technical demonstration, the partners also want to prove that the novel, flexible PtA process is economically competitive with the conventional process.

Disruptive process with high savings potential

"If successful, the PICASO approach will be a disruptive technology that replaces a conventional fossil process, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 95 percent," Ouda Salem said. A simulative analysis of the PICASO process has also shown a potential energy saving of 50 percent compared to the conventional Haber-Bosch process. A specific goal for a follow-up project is to scale up the integrated reactor to demonstration level and test it in a pilot plant at the site of associated partner FREA-AIST in Fukushima. In addition, the researchers are developing specific dynamic studies and operating strategies to identify interface requirements between the electrolyzers and the synthesis plant. Successful completion of these project phases will provide the basic engineering data for an industrial reference plant. The PICASO partners will accompany these phases with R&D services and their own patents on catalyst and reactor developments in order to license the complete technology to the chemical and process industries.

About Ulm University

As a young research university, Ulm University is focused on meeting today’s global challenges. The 12 strategic and interdisciplinary research areas are directed towards improving understanding on core issues such as ageing, sustainability, technologies of the future, and human health and well-being (www.uni-ulm.de/forschung). High levels of external funding and numerous large-scale collaborative projects, such as nationally-funded Collaborative Research Centres and a Cluster of Excellence, are testament to the strength of the research being conducted at Ulm University.

Ulm University was founded in 1967 with a focus on the medical and natural sciences. Today the university has more than 10,000 students in the faculties ‘Medicine’, ‘Natural Sciences’, ‘Mathematics and Economics’ and ‘Engineering, Computer Science and Psychology’. With more than 60 study programmes in total, an increasing number of which are now being offered in English, Ulm University produces graduates with excellent career prospects. The university benefits from extensive regional and international networks.

Ulm University is at the dynamic heart of its home city and is driving interactions with the city’s numerous non-university research institutions, the clinics that deliver a full spectrum of medical and health services and the many regional technology companies. Located in a region with a thriving economy, Ulm offers the best possible environment for effective technology and knowledge transfer.