Chemical Efficiency: Hydrogen and Nitrite Discovery

Sustainability

As climate concerns become ever-increasing, researchers and scientists are seeking new sustainable methods to reduce the impact on the planet. A research team from the University Alliance Ruhr in Germany has found a technique that produces both Hydrogen and Nitrite from Ammonia. Originally two separate processes, the team displayed that they could be combined into a single process with higher efficiency and yield. 

The Process

The process of creating hydrogen involves using electrical energy to split water (H2O) into H2 and O2. However, to keep the process sustainable it needs to be imported from distant countries, which have the space and resources for wind and solar power. Transporting Hydrogen requires liquefying it, and bringing it to -253 degrees Celsius consumes a large amount of energy. 

An alternative process involves converting the hydrogen to ammonia before transport, as it freezes at -33 degrees Celsius. Then when needed, the Ammonia can be converted into Nitrogen, albeit unusable, and Hydrogen via the reverse Haber-Bosch process. 

The researchers then had the idea of combining the two processes, intending to produce a more usable product besides Nitrogen. The reaction uses Ammonia (NH3) and Water (H2O) to produce Nitrite (NO2) and Hydrogen (H2). In this case, the yield of hydrogen doubled and the produced nitrite can be processed into fertilizer. 

Energy Requirements

One challenge researchers faced was finding a catalyst that matched their needs. One issue was due to the reactant NH3, which has a higher tendency to become nitrogen than nitrite. They experimented with multi-metal catalysts and showed success, leading to 87% converting into nitrite. With further developments and implementation, this process can revolutionize how we approach these chemical processes.

Citations

“The Haber Process: A Simple Discovery That Changed the World.” The Oxford Scientist, 31 May 2020, oxsci.org/the-haber-process-a-simple-discovery-that-changed-the-world/. 

Ruhr-University Bochum. "Producing hydrogen and fertilizer at the same time." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 15 July 2024. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240715135729.htm.

“Producing Hydrogen and Fertilizer at the Same Time.” Chemeurope, www.chemeurope.com/en/news/1183974/producing-hydrogen-and-fertilizer-at-the-same-time.html.