Kinetic modelling and process optimization for low-carbon hydrogen production via ammonia cracking

Ammonia is considered to be a promising hydrogen carrier as it comprises of 17.8 wt% of hydrogen and enables its transfer over long distances at lower costs. In an effort of investigating the process of back-cracking ammonia to hydrogen, this study focuses on reactor optimization and analysis of ene...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of hydrogen energy 2024-12
Main Authors: Aldilaijan, Ragad, Siddiqui, Osamah, Rakib, Mohammad, Solami, Bandar, Soua, Zied
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ammonia cracking
Energy efficiency
Low-carbon hydrogen
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Summary:Ammonia is considered to be a promising hydrogen carrier as it comprises of 17.8 wt% of hydrogen and enables its transfer over long distances at lower costs. In an effort of investigating the process of back-cracking ammonia to hydrogen, this study focuses on reactor optimization and analysis of energy sources required for the endothermic ammonia decomposition reaction. Aspen Plus V12.1 was used to simulate an industrial-scale ammonia cracking plant, consisting of a multi-tubular packed bed reactor loaded with a Co–Ba/CeO2 catalyst to crack the ammonia to hydrogen and nitrogen using in-house developed kinetics. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of changing reactor temperatures, reactor dimensions, and number of tubes on the conversion of ammonia to aid in the optimization of the reactor dimensions and operating conditions. For instance, it was observed that with 30 tubes, a 72% decrease in the reactor length is achievable with a temperature increase from 550 °C to 600 °C at 30 bars. Further, a parametric investigation was conducted via analysis of different case studies to analyze the effects of varying configurations and parameters on the system performance. Overall system energy efficiencies up to 85% are obtained in the case of utilization of furnaces with full ammonia combustion and recycling of waste streams. •Low-carbon hydrogen production via ammonia back-cracking.•Reactor optimization performed for Co–Ba/CeO2 catalyst.•Several process configurations analyzed to attain higher energy efficiencies.•Energy efficiencies of up to 85% are attained for optimal system configurations.
ISSN:0360-3199
DOI:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.11.231