Clean ammonia production in West Virginia
By on April 11, 2023
Project to anchor the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub
The Adams Fork Energy clean ammonia project will be developed on a reclaimed coal mining site in Mingo County, West Virginia. Gas feedstock coupled with CCS will be utilised to produce up to 2.16 million tonnes per year of ammonia, with additional expansion phases planned. Construction is expected to begin next year, with Haldor Topsoe already selected to provide its SynCOR™ ammonia technology platform. CNX Resources and the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe are also key partners in the project. Adams Fork Energy was first launched in 2010 as a coal-to-chemicals project, and will now focus on the use of Appalachian gas.
The project will serve as the anchor for the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2), one of twenty-two applications being considered by the US Department of Energy for funding as part of the $7 billion Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program. ARCH2’s leading proponents include GTI Energy, Battelle, and EQT Corporation, the largest producer of gas in the United States.
Thanks to leadership in Washington through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, we’re excited to advance our clean ammonia production facility that will create family-sustaining local jobs while boosting available supply of clean ammonia, a critical component to sustainable food production and achieving a lower-carbon energy future.
Francis Sacr, Special Advisor to the President of Adams Fork Energy in the official press release, 3 Apr 2023
This project…honors our legacy as America’s energy powerhouse while keeping an eye on the future as we work to bring an Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub to West Virginia. I applaud the cooperation it took to bring this project to Mingo County and look forward to seeing the benefits it brings to the community, economy, and our energy security.
US Senator Joe Manchin in the official press release, 3 Apr 2023
Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs & ammonia
ARCH2 is one of several regional hub applications where ammonia plays a prominent role. Although information on the applications is difficult to come by, notable examples include:
- the Obsidian Renewable Hydrogen Hub, which will use renewable hydrogen for ammonia and fertiliser production in Oregon and Washington. The Obsidian Hub is also one of several applicants that has publicly released its concept documents.
- the Trans Permian Hydrogen Hub, which includes plans for two renewable ammonia production plants in Texas (as well as export infrastructure to domestic & global markets).
- the Horizons Clean Hydrogen Hub centred on the Port of Corpus Christi (Texas), which includes AmmPower amongst its private partners.
- the HALO Hydrogen Hub, which indicates that CCS hydrogen would be used to displace fossil hydrogen feedstock for ammonia & fertiliser production in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
- and the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MacH2), a seven-state coalition which identifies ammonia applications in fertiliser production, heavy transportation fuel and power generation. The MacH2 coalition also notes the Midwest region already has the most extensive ammonia transportation network in the US.