Hydrogen to Ammonia Research and Development

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The Hydrogen to Ammonia Research and Development project is to develop an ammonia production process which is less energy intensive than the conventional Haber-Bosch process and does not contribute to any greenhouse gas emissions.Key resultsThe hydrogen to ammonia conversion rates and Vol% ammonia in the product stream were respectively achieved up to 14.5% and 7.5 Vol% at 30 bar pressure. These values are encouraging when compared to those achieved by the Haber-Bosch process at above 150 bar pressures in a single pass through the catalyst bed.The project generated substantial IP in the form of a publication of a provisional, invention disclosure report on a new hybrid reactor ammonia production concept.The project carried out preliminary designing and costing analysis of a pilot scale plant based on the developed technology with hydrogen sourced from an electrolyser powered by solar PV to explore the technical and economic viability of the technology for commercialisation. The results showed that a 10 tonnes/day ammonia production pilot scale facility (Includes the electrolyser capital and operating costs but not of solar PV facility) will cost around $15M with ammonia production costs of around $650/tonne.CSIRO is in discussion with existing industrial partners Orica and GRDC, and an investor company.

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