Electro-thermochemical Li Cycling for NH3 Synthesis from N2 and H2O

Stanford researchers at the Jaramillo, Nørskov, and Cargnello Labs have developed an improved system to generate NH₃ (ammonia) from N₂ and H₂O via a low-pressure, electro-thermochemical, sustainable alternative to the conventional Haber-Bosch process.

The prevalent Haber-Bosch manufacturing technique, which reacts N₂ with H₂, has a number of drawbacks. It consumes large amounts of natural gas to obtain H₂, emits carbon dioxide, and requires high-pressure conditions that force the use of expensive centralized factories. The new technology resolves a number of these concerns. The use of water in place of H₂ obviates the need for fossil fuels, the technique emits only H₂O and O₂ as byproducts, and less rigorous pressure requirements reduce the cost of running the process. Moreover, this technique could allow for the local production of ammonia that would then be put immediately into the soil, reducing the cost of fertilizer and maximizing nitrogen utilization efficiency. Thus, this technology could allow for cheaper, less energy-consuming, and more environmentally friendly production and use of ammonia, compared to current standards.

Stage of Research as of October 2016