Green Hydrogen Production through Ammonia Decomposition Using Non-Thermal Plasma

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences 2023-09, Vol.24 (18), p.14397
• Main Authors: Moszczyńska, Julia, Liu, Xinying, Wiśniewski, Marek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alternative energy; Ammonia; ammonia splitting; By products; Carbon dioxide; catalysis; Decomposition; Dehydrogenation; Efficiency; Electrolytes; Energy industry; Fuel cells; Glycerol; Green hydrogen; green hydrogen synthesis; Hydrocarbons; Hydrogen; Hydrogen production; hydrogen storage; Nitrogen; non-thermal plasma; Plasma physics; Poisoning; Poisons; Pollutants; Review
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814397

Liquid hydrogen carriers will soon play a significant role in transporting energy. The key factors that are considered when assessing the applicability of ammonia cracking in large-scale projects are as follows: high energy density, easy storage and distribution, the simplicity of the overall process, and a low or zero-carbon footprint. Thermal systems used for recovering H2 from ammonia require a reaction unit and catalyst that operates at a high temperature (550–800 °C) for the complete conversion of ammonia, which has a negative effect on the economics of the process. A non-thermal plasma (NTP) solution is the answer to this problem. Ammonia becomes a reliable hydrogen carrier and, in combination with NTP, offers the high conversion of the dehydrogenation process at a relatively low temperature so that zero-carbon pure hydrogen can be transported over long distances. This paper provides a critical overview of ammonia decomposition systems that focus on non-thermal methods, especially under plasma conditions. The review shows that the process has various positive aspects and is an innovative process that has only been reported to a limited extent.