Ammonia production

Ammonia is also used for the production of plastics, fibres, explosives, nitric acid (via the Ostwald process), and intermediates for dyes and pharmaceuticals.

[3] Before the start of World War I, most ammonia was obtained by the dry distillation of nitrogenous vegetable and animal products; by the reduction of nitrous acid and nitrites with hydrogen; and also by the decomposition of ammonium salts by alkaline hydroxides or by quicklime, the salt most generally used being the chloride (sal-ammoniac).

While not strictly speaking a method of producing ammonia, nitrogen can be fixed by passing it (with oxygen) through an electric spark.

[6][7] It converts atmospheric nitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3) by a reaction with hydrogen (H2) using finely divided iron metal as a catalyst:

Because ammonia production depends on a reliable supply of energy, fossil fuels are often used, contributing to climate change when they are combusted and create greenhouse gasses.

[14] Sustainable production is possible by using non-polluting methane pyrolysis or generating hydrogen by water electrolysis with renewable energy sources.

For example, in 2002, Iceland produced 2,000 tons of hydrogen gas by electrolysis, using excess power from its hydroelectric plants, primarily for fertilizer.

Because discharging ammonia-laden water into the environment damages marine life, nitrification is often necessary to remove the ammonia.

[4] Oxygen from the air separation module is fed to the gasifier to convert coal into synthesis gas (H2, CO, CO2) and CH4.

Most gasifiers are based on fluidized beds that operate above atmospheric pressure and have the ability to utilize different coal feeds.

Centrifugal compressors for the synthesis loop and refrigeration services provided significant cost reductions.

[26] In April 2017, Japanese company Tsubame BHB implemented a method of ammonia synthesis that could allow economic production at scales 1-2 orders of magnitude below than ordinary plants with utilizing electrochemical catalyst.

[27][28] In 2024, the BBC announced numerous companies were attempting to reduce the 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions caused by the use/production of ammonia by producing the product in labs.

[30] This situation repeated in September 2021 due to a 250-400% increase in the wholesale price of natural gas over the course of the year.