Synthesis and Utilization of Clean Ammonia as Fuel

Dear Colleagues,

Ammonia is the second largest produced chemical in the world, widely used as a fertilizer, cleaning agent, and chemical feedstock. As the global energy sector is moving towards clean energy and decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors, ammonia has shown its immense potential as an energy vector and hydrogen carrier. It has a volumetric hydrogen density of 108 g-H₂/m³. Ammonia storage, transport, and safety infrastructure have existed for over a century. Hence, it is believed to play a pivotal role in the energy transition into a clean energy future. Blended ammonia and cracked ammonia are upcoming fuels for several applications, including the shipping industry, steel industry, and power generation. 

To unlock the true potential of ammonia as a fuel, two parts of the value chain need to be thoroughly understood: (i) clean ammonia production and (ii) ammonia utilization. In recent years, there have been several advances in the methods for ammonia production, such as plasma catalysis, electrochemical synthesis, photochemical synthesis, aqueous ammonia synthesis, the adsorption-enhanced Haber–Bosch process, and low-temperature Haber–Bosch process. It is quintessential to understand these processes and their application into the bigger picture. For ammonia utilization, the key is to understand the combustion/conversion kinetics and its effect on the system. Today, we already have some internal combustion engines, burners, furnaces, and gas turbines that use pure ammonia, blended ammonia, and cracked ammonia fuels. 

This Special Issue aims to highlight the role of clean ammonia synthesis and utilization in advancing a green future, with a focus on (but not limited to) the following topics:

• Thermocatalytic ammonia synthesis;
• Haber–Bosch process alternatives for clean ammonia synthesis;
• Ammonia decomposition (with application);
• Ammonia and ammonia-blended fuel combustion;
• Ammonia valorization pathways and systems.

Dr. Rajavasanth Rajasegar
Dr. Javishk R. Shah
Guest Editors

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