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University of Minnesota

https://twin-cities.umn.edu/

Content Related to University of Minnesota

Optimizing absorption to improve Haber-Bosch synthesis
Paper

Optimizing absorption to improve Haber-Bosch synthesis

Ryan Miller November 11, 2021

Ammonia absorber columns offer an alternative separation unit to replace condensation in the Haber-Bosch synthesis loop. Metal halide salts can selectively separate ammonia from the reactor outlet gas mixture and incorporate it into their crystal lattice with remarkably high thermodynamic capacity. While the salts’ working capacity can be limited and unstable when they are in their pure form, the capacity is stable and can be high when using a porous silica support. Here, we discuss optimal conditions for uptake and release of ammonia. The production capacity (ammonia processed per unit absorbent and per unit production time) depends on processing parameters…

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Renewable ammonia for grid-scale sustainable energy:  Sector coupling for economic competitiveness
Paper

Renewable ammonia for grid-scale sustainable energy: Sector coupling for economic competitiveness

Ryan Miller November 9, 2021

Ammonia produced from renewably sourced electrolytic hydrogen has considerable promise as a seasonal energy storage medium to enable high renewable penetration in the electrical power generation mix. Long duration energy storage via ammonia is significantly less expensive than using hydrogen or batteries [1,2]. Renewable ammonia can also be used as in its traditional application as a fertilizer to reduce agricultural carbon intensity. These multiple renewable ammonia use cases give rise to opportunities for sector coupling [3]. For example, an electric utility could deploy ammonia for energy storage while also pursuing additional ammonia production for sale in local agriculture markets. This…

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Project ACTIVATE: ammonia combustion engine R&D
Article

Project ACTIVATE: ammonia combustion engine R&D

Ryan Miller September 22, 2021

A team led by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the Silesian University of Technology (SUT) is currently working on Project ACTIVATE. Their goal is to field demonstrate an ammonia-powered, cost-competitive agricultural vehicle by late 2023.

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The Ammonia Wrap: ICE announces its new green ammonia
Article

The Ammonia Wrap: ICE announces its new green ammonia "SuperGiant", Cummins and KBR team up on integrated solutions, a new green ammonia pilot in Minnesota and decarbonisation of existing plants in Russia

Ryan Miller May 19, 2021

Welcome to the Ammonia Wrap: a summary of all the latest announcements, news items and publications about ammonia energy. There's so much news this edition that we're bringing you two, special Wrap articles. Our first focuses on ammonia production -

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Ammonia Energy Live February - 2021
Article

Ammonia Energy Live February - 2021

Ryan Miller March 04, 2021

Last week we presented the first episode in our monthly webinar series: Ammonia Energy Live. Every month we’ll explore the wonderful world of ammonia energy and the role it will play in global decarbonisation - with an Australian twist. To kick

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Ammonia Absorbents with High Stability and High Capacity for Fast Cycling
Paper

Ammonia Absorbents with High Stability and High Capacity for Fast Cycling

Ryan Miller November 14, 2019

Ammonia absorption is an alternative separation to condensation in ammonia production. Metal chloride salts selectively incorporate ammonia into their crystal lattices with remarkably high capacity. Regeneration and stability of these salts are further improved by dispersing them onto a porous silica support. Here, we discuss the optimal preparation methods of supported metal halides, as well as optimal conditions for uptake and release of ammonia. The metal halide salt particle size, support particle size, support composition and preparation methods are optimized for material stability, speed of uptake and release, and maximum ammonia capacity. An automated system was used to rapidly screen…

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Comparative Technoeconomic Analysis of Conventional and Absorbent-Enhanced Ammonia Synthesis
Paper

Comparative Technoeconomic Analysis of Conventional and Absorbent-Enhanced Ammonia Synthesis

Ryan Miller November 14, 2019

Ammonia is the second-most produced synthetic chemical and the main precursor for nitrogen-based fertilizer. In 2015, 160 million tons were produced globally, and global demand is expected to grow 1.5% annually until 2050 [1]. However, traditional ammonia production uses natural gas or coal as its hydrogen source, and as a result, is also responsible for more than 1% of global GHG emissions and 5% of global natural gas consumption [2]. Clearly, a more sustainable ammonia production scheme is needed. One such alternative is obtain hydrogen from electrolysis powered by wind- or solar-derived electricity. It has been proposed to perform this…

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University of Minnesota demonstrates efficient ammonia dual-fuel engine system
Article

University of Minnesota demonstrates efficient ammonia dual-fuel engine system

Ryan Miller June 28, 2019

This month, researchers at the University of Minnesota began successful field tests of their new ammonia engine, operating a heavy-duty tractor across farmland near Morris, MN, on a dual-fuel blend of 70% diesel and 30% ammonia.

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NH3 Event in Rotterdam, June 6-7
Article

NH3 Event in Rotterdam, June 6-7

Ryan Miller May 24, 2019

This year's ammonia conference in Rotterdam, the third annual NH3 Event, begins two weeks from today. Since our guest post in March, announcing the initial roster of conference speakers, the organizers have confirmed new speakers, added more sessions, and announced

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EPRI Releases Ammonia Energy Report
Article

EPRI Releases Ammonia Energy Report

Ryan Miller March 07, 2019

Last month the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) released Renewable Ammonia Generation, Transport, and Utilization in the Transportation Sector, the organization’s first public treatment of ammonia energy.  The report is positioned as a communique from the cutting edge – a

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Design Optimization of an Ammonia-Based Distributed Sustainable Agricultural Energy System
Paper

Design Optimization of an Ammonia-Based Distributed Sustainable Agricultural Energy System

Ryan Miller October 31, 2018

Small-scale, distributed production of ammonia better enables the use of renewable energy for its synthesis than the current paradigm of large-scale, centralized production. Pursuant to this idea, a small-scale Haber-Bosch process has been installed at the West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) in Morris, MN [1] and there is ongoing work on an absorbent-enhanced process at the University of Minnesota [2], [3]. Using renewables to make ammonia would greatly improve the sustainability of fertilizer production, which currently accounts for 1% of total global energy consumption [4]. The promise of renewable-powered, distributed ammonia production for sustainability is in fact not…

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Ammonia Absorption and Desorption in Ammines
Paper

Ammonia Absorption and Desorption in Ammines

Ryan Miller October 31, 2018

While adsorption onto solids is a common separation process, absorption into solids is much less often used. The reason is that absorption is usually assumed ineffective because it includes very slow solute diffusion into the solid. An exception may be the separation of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen using ammines, especially at temperatures close to those used in ammonia synthesis. There, ammonia can be selectively absorbed by calcium chloride; nitrogen and hydrogen are not absorbed. The kinetics of ammonia release seem to be diffusion controlled. The kinetics of absorption are consistent with a first order reaction and diffusion in series,…

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Process Superstructures and the Production of Cost-Advantaged Ammonia
Article

Process Superstructures and the Production of Cost-Advantaged Ammonia

Ryan Miller February 01, 2018

At the 2017 NH3 Energy+ Conference, graduate student Doga Demirhan reported on an ongoing investigation at the Energy Institute at Texas A&M University. The work involved evaluation of options for an ammonia production system and concluded that biomass could be

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Future Ammonia Technologies: Plasma, Membrane, Redox
Article

Future Ammonia Technologies: Plasma, Membrane, Redox

Ryan Miller December 08, 2017

I wrote recently about two pathways for ammonia production technology development: improvements on Haber-Bosch, or electrochemical synthesis. Last week, I covered some of these Haber-Bosch improvements; next week, I'll write about electrochemical processes. This week, I want to write about

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Improvement of Haber-Bosch: Adsorption vs. Absorption
Article

Improvement of Haber-Bosch: Adsorption vs. Absorption

Ryan Miller December 01, 2017

At the recent NH3 Energy+ Topical Conference, Grigorii Soloveichik described the future of ammonia synthesis technologies as a two-way choice: Improvement of Haber-Bosch or Electrochemical Synthesis. Two such Haber-Bosch improvement projects, which received ARPA-E-funding under Soloveichik's program direction, also presented

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Design Optimization of a Distributed Ammonia Generation System
Paper

Design Optimization of a Distributed Ammonia Generation System

Ryan Miller November 2, 2017

Distributed ammonia generation located near farms is a promising alternative to the current practice of large-scale, centralized production. This production mode would reduce the need for transportation of ammonia over long distances currently caused by the mismatch between production and consumption locations. In addition, a small-scale ammonia synthesis process could more easily take advantage of distributed power generation based on wind or sunlight to reduce energy costs and lessen the dependence on fossil fuels. Distributed, renewables-based fertilizer production would largely insulate farmers against market uncertainty while also increasing the sustainability of the agricultural supply chain. However, a technically proven, economically…

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Atmospheric-Pressure Synthesis of Ammonia Using Non-Thermal Plasma with the Assistance of Ru-Based Multifunctional Catalyst
Paper

Atmospheric-Pressure Synthesis of Ammonia Using Non-Thermal Plasma with the Assistance of Ru-Based Multifunctional Catalyst

Ryan Miller November 2, 2017

Ammonia has much more uses than being a fertilizer. Its emerging applications include hydrogen carrier, fuel cells, clean transportation fuels, and other off-grid power applications. The traditional Haber Bosch process used to synthesize ammonia must be achieved at high temperature and pressure. The non-thermal plasma (NTP) allows for the synthesis of ammonia at a lower temperature and pressure conditions. It is proposed that the moderate process conditions can potentially allow a more economical construction and operation of ammonia production systems on distributed farms and renewable hydrogen production sites. In this study, we report the NTP synthesis of ammonia using dielectric…

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Lower Pressure Ammonia Synthesis
Paper

Lower Pressure Ammonia Synthesis

Ryan Miller November 1, 2017

Ammonia is a very important chemical, mainly produced through the Haber-Bosch process. This process requires high temperature (>400 °C) and pressure (>150 bar) in order to ensure fast kinetics and high conversions, respectively.1 As a result, ammonia synthesis is known to be very complex and energy-intensive.2 To alleviate the complexity and energy requirements of ammonia synthesis, and to reduce the CO2 emissions, we are proposing an innovative reaction-absorption process to synthesize carbon-free ammonia in small plants.3 This green ammonia can be synthesized in wind-powered plants, with hydrogen from electrolysis of water and nitrogen from pressure swing adsorption of air.4 In…

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254th ACS Meeting, Energy and Fuels Symposium “The Ammonia Economy” — Synthesis, Utilization & Nitrogen Reduction
Article

254th ACS Meeting, Energy and Fuels Symposium “The Ammonia Economy” — Synthesis, Utilization & Nitrogen Reduction

Ryan Miller October 31, 2017

In late August, the day before the exciting solar eclipse, the Ammonia Economy symposium was held as part of the Energy and Fuels Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting in Washington DC. This marks the third gathering

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Ammonia Energy at the H2@Scale Workshop
Article

Ammonia Energy at the [email protected] Workshop

Ryan Miller June 08, 2017

“Carbon-free ammonia needs to be a significant contributor to the [email protected] initiative.” This was one of the “key takeaways” offered by Steve Szymanski, Director of Business Development at the hydrogen generator company Proton On-Site, during his presentation at the

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ARPA-E funding for renewable ammonia synthesis technologies
Article

ARPA-E funding for renewable ammonia synthesis technologies

Ryan Miller December 23, 2016

Last week, ARPA-E announced funding for eight technologies that aim to make ammonia from renewable electricity, air, and water. The technological pathways being developed include adaptations of the Haber-Bosch process - seeking improvements in catalysts and absorbents - as well

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University of Minnesota's Ammonia Program
Article

University of Minnesota's Ammonia Program

Ryan Miller December 16, 2016

The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) will present a Webinar on December 21 on "Distributed Ammonia Synthesis." The presenter will be Edward L. Cussler, Distinguished Institute Professor at the Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Department of the University

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NH3 Fuel Association President Presents at AIChE Annual Meeting
Article

NH3 Fuel Association President Presents at AIChE Annual Meeting

Ryan Miller November 30, 2016

NH3 Fuel Association President Norm Olson presented his paper “NH3 – the Optimal Liquid Transportation Fuel” on November 9 at the annual meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). The AIChE meeting, held over six days in San

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Paper

Small Scale Low-Pressure Ammonia Synthesis

Ryan Miller September 19, 2016

Ammonia is one of the most important chemical commodities in the US and will be a key component in helping the world meet the rising demand for food and energy. Ammonia is needed in distributed locations for agriculture (as fertilizer for small grain and corn production), for indirect hydrogen storage1 (transported as a liquid at moderate pressure to hydrogen stations), or as a liquid fuel2 (for internal combustion engines or solid oxide fuel cells). Recently, there has been significant effort to develop scalable technologies for conversion of intermittent energies (e.g., solar, wind) into energy dense carbon-neutral liquid fuels, and ammonia…

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Displacing Diesel Fuel with Carbon-Free Anhydrous Ammonia
Article

Displacing Diesel Fuel with Carbon-Free Anhydrous Ammonia

Ryan Miller September 15, 2016

The team at the University of Minnesota announced last month the award of funding for a demonstration project entitled "Clean Vehicles Fueled by Hydrogen from Renewable Ammonia." This project builds on years of research and investment in renewable ammonia at University

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Potential Strategies for Distributed, Small-Scale Sustainable Ammonia Production
Paper

Potential Strategies for Distributed, Small-Scale Sustainable Ammonia Production

Ryan Miller September 21, 2015

Potential Strategies for Distributed, Small-Scale Sustainable Ammonia Production Alon McCormick*, Ed Cussler, Prodromos Daoutidis, Paul Dauenhauer, Lanny Schmidt, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science; Roger Ruan, Doug Tiffany, Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering; Steve Kelley, Humphrey School of Public Affairs; Mike Reese, West Central Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota

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Ammonia Production Using Wind Energy: An Early Calculation of Life Cycle Carbon Emissions and Fossil Energy Consumption
Paper

Ammonia Production Using Wind Energy: An Early Calculation of Life Cycle Carbon Emissions and Fossil Energy Consumption

Ryan Miller September 23, 2013

Industry professionals and others have begun to consider the use of ammonia as a substitute for fossil energy in the fuel, fertilizer, and chemical sectors. Several factors are driving this concept; including, energy security concerns, the potential for economic development, and reducing the environmental consequences of fossil energy use. In terms of environmental concerns, it is important to determine the potential impacts of producing ammonia before a major switch to ammonia can be considered. This study examined fossil energy use and carbon emissions in the production of ammonia, using life cycle assessment (LCA) methods to analyze production at a novel…

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Lessons Learned in Developing a Wind-to-Ammonia Pilot Plant
Paper

Lessons Learned in Developing a Wind-to-Ammonia Pilot Plant

Ryan Miller October 2, 2012

Lessons Learned in Developing a Wind-to-Ammonia Pilot Plant Michael Reese and Cory Marquart, University of Minnesota

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Production of Anhydrous Ammonia from Wind Energy — Anatomy of a Pilot Plant, The Sequel
Paper

Production of Anhydrous Ammonia from Wind Energy — Anatomy of a Pilot Plant, The Sequel

Ryan Miller September 19, 2011

Production of Anhydrous Ammonia from Wind Energy — Anatomy of a Pilot Plant, The Sequel Doug Tiffany and Mike Reese, University of Minnesota

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Production of Anhydrous Ammonia from Wind Energy — Anatomy of a Pilot Plant
Paper

Production of Anhydrous Ammonia from Wind Energy — Anatomy of a Pilot Plant

Ryan Miller September 27, 2010

Production of Anhydrous Ammonia from Wind Energy — Anatomy of a Pilot Plant Mike Reese and Cory Marquart, University of Minnesota

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Ammonia from Wind, Progress Update
Paper

Ammonia from Wind, Progress Update

Ryan Miller October 12, 2009

Ammonia from Wind, Progress Update Mike Reese, University of Minnesota, and Cecil Massie, Consultant

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Small-scale Production of Renewable Ammonia
Paper

Small-scale Production of Renewable Ammonia

Ryan Miller September 30, 2008

Small-scale Production of Renewable Ammonia Mark Huberty, University of Minnesota

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Ammonia Synthesis Using Nonthermal Plasma with Ruthenium Catalysts
Paper

Ammonia Synthesis Using Nonthermal Plasma with Ruthenium Catalysts

Ryan Miller September 30, 2008

Ammonia Synthesis Using Nonthermal Plasma with Ruthenium Catalysts Zhiping Le, Shaobo Deng, Paul Chen, and Roger Ruan, University of Minnesota

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Ammonia from Wind, an Update
Paper

Ammonia from Wind, an Update

Ryan Miller September 29, 2008

Ammonia from Wind, an Update Mike Reese, University of Minnesota – Morris, and Cecil Massie, Sebesta Blomberg and Associates

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Ammonia from Wind, An Update
Paper

Ammonia from Wind, An Update

Ryan Miller October 15, 2007

Ammonia from Wind, An Update Mike Reese, University of Minnesota–Morris

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Wind to Ammonia
Paper

Wind to Ammonia

Ryan Miller October 9, 2006

Wind to Ammonia Mike Reese, University of Minnesota, West Central Research and Outreach Center

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