Exploring the sustainable production of ammonia by recycling N and H in biological residues: Evolution of fuel-N during glutamic acid gasification

In this work, the recycling of nitrogen and hydrogen from nitrogen-rich (N-rich) biological residues via autothermal gasification has been proposed as a process suitable for sustainable production ammonia (NH3). Two N-rich residues, sewage sludge meat bone meal, were used analyzed in work glutamic acid was selected model compound protein-fuel-N these residues. Glutamic experiments carried out order to study effect temperature (800–900 °C) steam-to-carbon ratio (0.5–1.0 g g?1) on conversion fuel-N into most typical N-containing products: NH3, molecular (N2), cyanide (HCN), monoxide (NO), tar-N char-N. Sewage meal also gasified under operating conditions with main aim assessing NH3 production. The abundant compounds obtained (35–51% over fuel-N) N2 (45–63% fuel-N). highest NH3–N (51%) at lowest (800 S/C (0.5 g?1). increase caused decrease yield consequence its decomposition N2. A similar distribution found when gasified, obtaining joint yields HCN–N, NO–N, char-N lower than 5%, being (30–67%) N2–N (28–68%) majority products. (51%), (30%), (67%) same significantly different. These differences attributed catalytic metals present point need optimize specifically each residue. summary, may be able produce around 10% produced annually Europe between 102 262 GJ·ton?1 thanks combustion syngas generated.