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Cited by 114Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen ReductionMembrane Separation and Gas TransportCatalysts for Methane Reforming

Perspective on Intensification of Haber−Bosch to Enable Ammonia Production under Milder Conditions

Lin, Bosong, Nowrin, Fouzia Hasan, Rosenthal, Justin J., Bhown, Abhoyjit S., Malmali, Mahdi·2023·ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
DOI 10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c06711
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Abstract

Ammonia is one of the most widely produced chemicals in the world. It is synthesized by reacting hydrogen and nitrogen gases at high temperature and high pressure. Over 180 million metric tonnes of ammonia produced annually accounts for 1%–2% of all global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, mainly due to the production of hydrogen via fossil fuel feedstocks. As such, making this process cheaper, more efficient, and less energy intensive has been a major focus of research for scientists and engineers throughout the past century. Modern research on ammonia production largely focuses on decarbonizing this process through a myriad of techniques, such as improving energy efficiency via intensification or electrification. This perspective provides insights into the progress made toward the intensification of thermocatalytic processes for ammonia synthesis under milder conditions, including alternative ammonia separation methods and better catalysts. We first review ammonia separation methods that can enable the transition from high-pressure to low-pressure ammonia manufacturing, including ammonia-selective membranes and sorbents. The performance of membranes for ammonia separation is discussed in terms of ammonia selectivity and permeance for a wide range of temperatures, with the focus on the strengths and limitations of both organic and inorganic materials. Recently developed sorbents that selectively uptake ammonia from gas mixtures are also discussed, with a special emphasis on the performance of absorbents at various experimental conditions. Since one of the potential prospects for decarbonizing ammonia synthesis lies in creating a catalyst that can operate at a lower temperature, catalytic materials that have been reported in the last two decades and can sustain production rates at temperatures below 400 °C are reviewed.

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  • The conventional ammonia process is energy-intensive, typically consuming 28-36 GJ of energy per ton of ammonia, and contributes approximately 1.8% to global CO2 emissions, primarily originating from the steam methane reforming stage used for hydrogen production.

    “This conventional process is energyintensive, typically consuming 28-36 GJ of energy per ton of ammonia, and contributes approximately 1.8% to global CO 2 emissions, primarily originating from the SMR stage used for hydrogen production [296-298].”

    From Biofuels, E-Fuels, and Waste-Derived Fuels: Advances, Challenges, and Future Directions (2025) · cites this paper as [297]

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Authors
Lin, B., Nowrin, F. H., Rosenthal, J. J., Bhown, A. S., & Malmali, M.
Affiliations
  • Texas Tech University (US)
  • Electric Power Research Institute (US)
Corresponding author
Malmali, Mahdi
ORCID
Venue
ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
Publisher
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Published
2023-06-12
Volume
11
Issue
27
Pages
9880-9899
ISSN
2168-0485 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c06711
OpenAlex
W4380303030
Cited by
114
References
192
Citations by year
2026: 44 · 2025: 42 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 2
FWCI
5.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (publishedVersion)
Funders
Electric Power Research Institute
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Chemical Engineering › Catalysis › Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Membrane Separation and Gas Transport
  • Physical Sciences › Chemical Engineering › Catalysis › Catalysts for Methane Reforming
Keywords
ammonia synthesis, Haber-Bosch process, process intensification, low-temperature catalysts, hydrogen production, energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions

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