Green impacts of transforming green electricity into microwave for ammonia and urea production
Peng Jiang, Chenhan Wang, Lin Li, Tae H. Ji, Liwen Mu, Xiaohua Lü, Jiahua Zhu
Abstract
Abstract Green NH 3 production is challenged by high energy consumption, costs, and low yields. Here, we proposed a new green NH 3 process utilizing microwave (MW)‐driven N 2 transformations (GreenE+MW). This process integrates water electrolysis, air separation, MW‐assisted NH 3 synthesis, and NH 3 separation. For comparison, a green NH 3 process using the Haber–Bosch technology (GreenE+HB) was established, and the energy, economic, and environmental impacts were evaluated. The GreenE+MW process increased NH 3 yield by 25.14% and reduced energy consumption by 20.69% compared to the GreenE+HB process. Furthermore, it demonstrated notable advantages in cost and carbon footprint, with green NH 3 production costs potentially reduced to 326.84 USD/tNH 3 at electricity price of 0.02 USD/kWh. Based on which, a green urea process was proposed, achieving an 85% reduction in carbon emissions (0.128 kgCO 2 e/kgUrea) compared to conventional methods. This work offers a unique electrification technology to reconstruct the industrial NH 3 and urea production processes with a lower carbon footprint.