Green Ammonia Production Through Biomass Gasification & Carbon Capture
Abstract:
Ammonia synthesis is a process which has been around for many years, with the first industrial plant beginning operation in the early 20th century. This process is vital for humanity due to its contribution to the production of fertilizer, which significantly increases crop yields. This process, although it improves agricultural production, is also responsible for copious amounts of CO2 emissions worldwide due to its dependence on fossil fuels.
The objective of this project is to design an ammonia production plant that uses green hydrogen as a feedstock, whilst remaining financially competitive within the ammonia industry. Gasification of woody biomass was selected as the hydrogen source to reduce CO2 emissions when comparing to the conventional method of methane reforming. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is also implemented further reduce the CO2 emissions from the plan. A chemical process was designed with the gasifier, water gas shift reactor, carbon capture device, and ammonia synthesis reactor being drilled down on for a further detailed design. Environmental and safety hazards were also identified, with strategies put in place to mitigate them. With key units sized, an economic analysis was performed to prove that the plant could be profitable.
Students:
Eduardo Leon Castellano, Oliver Filso, John Graham, Holly Lavigne
