Sustainability analysis of methane-to-hydrogen-to-ammonia conversion by integration of high-temperature plasma and non-thermal plasma processes

The Covid era has made us aware of the need for resilient, self-sufficient, and local production. We are likely willing to pay an extra price that quality. Ammonia (NH3) synthesis accounts 2 % global energy production is important point attention development green technologies. Therefore, we propose a thermally integrated process H2 NH3 using plasma technology, evaluate its techno-economic performance CO2 footprint by life cycle assessment (LCA). key integrate energy-wise high-temperature (HTP) process, with (low-temperature) non-thermal (NTP) envision their joint economic potential. This particularly means raising temperature NTP which typically below 100 °C, taking advantage heat released from HTP process. For purpose, proposed conducted chemical kinetics simulations in section determine thermodynamically feasible operating window this novel combined results suggest yield 2.2 mol% can be attained at 302 °C 1.1 g NH3/kWh. Cost calculations show far commercial, mainly because too low However, when base our costs on best literature value plausible future scenarios yield, reach cost prediction 452 $/tonne NH3, competitive conventional small-scale Haber-Bosch distributed In addition, demonstrate biogas used as feed, thus allowing reactor concept part biogas-to-ammonia circular concept. Moreover, LCA environmental benefits plant, could cut half carbon emissions supplied photovoltaic electricity, even invert balance wind power due avoided black credits.