Novel electrochemical membrane reactor for synthesis of NH3 from air and water at low temperature and low pressure

This proposal aims to develop a new, compact reactor for production of ammonia from air and water with renewable electricity. The conversion is carried out in a solid-state alkaline electrochemical cell at temperatures below 200oC and pressures below 10bar. Water vapor and N2 gas are fed into cathode side of the cell to form ammonia and hydroxide ions. As ammonia is produced from the cathode, the hydroxide ion moves across a membrane separator to anode side of the cell and is oxidized into water and O2. Critical material components of low cost will be developed based on Molecule Works Inc.’s unique technologies to dramatically increase NH3 productivity and energy efficiency, meeting ARPA E’s performance targets. The projected commercial-scale reactor with tons/day NH3 capacity (1-10 MW scale) is compact enough to be transported by regular trucks. A number of these reactors can be installed in a site to provide operation flexibility. The US is rich in renewable resources, and also has the largest agriculture export in the world. NH3 is an effective energy carrier for storage of intermittent renewable energies. In addition, the renewable ammonia can be used as fertilizers to replace today’s fossil fuel-derived ammonia, which is an energy and capital intensive process, and contributing to about 1% global greenhouse gas emissions. The proposed technology has potential to make significant impacts on maintaining the US’s manufacturing competitiveness, creating green businesses, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.