Hydrogen & green e- for N-based chemistry

Nitrogen plays a vital role in living cells and is present in many natural compounds. Modern society reaps significant benefits from the synthesis of nitrogen-containing (bioactive) compounds, which are used in the production of fertilisers and sustainable plastics. Many synthesis pathways for nitrogen-containing molecules use ammonia (NH₃) as a raw material.

The production and use of ammonia and its derivatives is energy intensive and generates substantial CO₂ emissions. The production of grey hydrogen for ammonia accounts for 1.5% of the world’s total energy needs and 7% of the Netherlands’ CO₂ emissions. Within this theme, our focus is on this major challenge.

What do we hope to achieve?

Within this theme, our focus is on managing:

• The development of integrated processes to synthesise key nitrogen-based platform chemicals (NH₃, urea) from hydrogen.
• The fundamental development of new nitrogen chemistry.

This theme’s sub-programme on technological advancement focuses on cutting energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. We will achieve that by exploring the feasibility of diverse integrated production pathways for low-emission hydrogen and ammonia. The part dedicated to the fundamental development of new nitrogen chemistry is designed to unlock breakthrough plug-in technology. The emphasis is on using ammonia as an energy carrier and facilitating the sustainable synthesis of nitrogen-containing molecules.

How do we intend to achieve that?

We will achieve that by developing:

• Gas purification techniques using biomass to produce ammonia, a mild Haber-Bosch process featuring in-situ ammonia recovery, and high-temperature co-electrolysis for integrated ammonia production.
• Catalysts for NH₃/urea dehydrogenation and for direct ammonia fuel cells using NH₃ as an energy carrier, efficient catalysts that use NOₓ as an alternative oxidising agent, and sustainable alternative methods for synthesising nitrogen-containing molecules.