Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has issued a tender aimed at decarbonizing India’s fertilizer sector by promoting green ammonia production.

About Ammonia

• Ammonia (NH3) is a pungent gas that is widely used to make agricultural fertilisers.
• Physical Properties:
  • Colorless, highly irritating gas with a sharp, suffocating odor.
  • Dissolves easily in water to form ammonium hydroxide, which can cause irritation and burns.
  • Ammonia is not highly flammable, but containers may explode if exposed to high temperatures.
  • It is typically shipped as a compressed liquid in steel cylinders.
• Safety: Ammonia requires careful handling due to its irritating properties, especially in its gaseous form.

Green Ammonia

• It is Ammonia that is produced through 100% renewable and carbon-free processes, addressing environmental concerns tied to traditional ammonia production methods.
• Importance: Ammonia is widely used in fertilizers, fuel (for engines), energy storage, and industrial applications, making its decarbonization critical for achieving sustainability goals.

Production Process of Green Ammonia

• Hydrogen from Water Electrolysis: Water electrolysis is used to generate hydrogen by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, powered by renewable energy sources.
• Nitrogen from Air: Nitrogen is extracted from the atmosphere using air separation techniques.
• Haber Process (Haber-Bosch Process): The Haber process is used to combine hydrogen and nitrogen at high temperatures and pressures to produce ammonia (NH₃).
  • This process, when powered by sustainable electricity, ensures carbon-free ammonia production.

Current Ammonia Production

• Traditional Method: Ammonia is usually produced from methane using Steam Methane Reforming (SMR), which is energy-intensive and emits large amounts of CO₂ (about 90% of CO₂ emissions come from the SMR process).
  • This process accounts for approximately 1.8% of global carbon dioxide emissions.

Applications of Green Ammonia

• Fertilizer Production: Green ammonia is a key ingredient in the production of urea and other nitrogen-based fertilizers, which are essential for global agriculture.
• Zero-Carbon Fuel:
  • Fuel for engines: Ammonia can be used as a fuel in engines, replacing traditional diesel and marine fuel in sectors like shipping.
  • Power generation: Ammonia can be used in fuel cells or combustion engines to generate electricity. The only by-products of ammonia combustion are water and nitrogen, making it a zero-carbon fuel.
• Energy Storage:
  • Bulk Storage: Ammonia can be stored in large quantities at modest pressures (10-15 bar) or refrigerated at -33°C, making it an ideal storage medium for renewable energy.
  • Storage and Transport: Ammonia is already distributed worldwide through pipes, road tankers, and ships, providing a global storage network.
• Hydrogen Carrier: Ammonia can serve as an efficient hydrogen carrier, overcoming the challenges of storing hydrogen in cryogenic tanks or high-pressure cylinders.
  • Ammonia is easier and cheaper to store, and it can be easily “cracked” and purified to release hydrogen when needed for fuel cells.

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