Researchers at the Max Planck Institute report that ammonia was successfully used as a reductant to convert iron ore to sponge iron in a laboratory-scale reactor. The direct use of ammonia effectively offers a “process shortcut” in green steelmaking, removing the need for ammonia cracking or the extra costs associated with the transport & storage of hydrogen.
Europe
Hydrogen Europe: the role of clean ammonia
Peak industry body Hydrogen Europe has released a new report on the potential of clean ammonia production & utilisation in Europe. Although the introduction of renewable hydrogen feedstock presents an obvious opportunity to decarbonise the ammonia industry in Europe, the potential downstream applications of ammonia energy are being neglected by policymakers - particularly power generation and maritime fuel.
ADNOC, North Rhine-Westphalia to explore ammonia fuel use in German industry
ADNOC, Currenta GmbH and the North Rhine-Westphalia state government will cooperate on the production, transportation to Germany and subsequent application of low-carbon ammonia fuel. Industrial-scale testing of ammonia fuel for power generation will take place at one of Currenta’s chemical manufacturing sites in the region.
NoGAPS vessel project enters next phase
The second phase of the NoGAPS project is well underway. Led by the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, a detailed plan for the design, operation and business case for the future MS NoGAPS vessel will be developed. Construction and delivery is expected in 2024-25. Also in Scandinavia, Viridis Bulk Carriers has been awarded AiP from Bureau Veritas for its ammonia-fueled, short-sea, bulk carrier design.
Ammonia cracking technologies gather traction across Europe
In cracking technology updates this week:
- Air Liquide’s industrial-scale, ammonia cracking pilot plant at the Port of Antwerp is expected to be operational in 2024.
- In the UK, AFC Energy has announced a new cracking technology platform.
- Aramco and Linde Engineering have plans to develop their own ammonia cracking technology based on a new catalyst, with a demonstration plant in northern Germany to follow.
- And Fraunhofer IMM researchers have developed the compact AMMONPAKTOR cracking reactor system, which will be utilised to feed PEM fuel cells.
New vessel concepts for offshore production, storage & transport of ammonia
Through its ammonia FPSO vessel project, SwitcH2 expects to start producing ammonia offshore 2028, while Louis Dreyfus Ports and Logistics’s “FRESH” mobile ammonia terminal concept is expected to become commercial by 2025. Recently awarded AiPs affirm the technical feasibility of both designs.