Projects
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| Reference Number | UKRI785 | |
| Title | Prototyping a new green ammonia synthesis process using water, air and concentrated solar energy | |
| Status | Started | |
| Energy Categories | Renewable Energy Sources 20%; Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (Hydrogen, Hydrogen storage) 80%; |
|
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Chemical Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Laura Torrente-Murciano University of Cambridge |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | EPSRC | |
| Start Date | 01 August 2025 | |
| End Date | 11 September 2027 | |
| Duration | 25 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £655,351 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Unknown | |
| Region | East of England | |
| Programme | Energy and Decarbonisation | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Laura Torrente-Murciano , University of Cambridge |
| Other Investigator | Michael Hayward , University of Oxford Geoff Moggridge , University of Cambridge |
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| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | This project will demonstrate a proof-of-concept prototype of a novel synthesis of green ammonia using water directly as a hydrogen source, and nitrogen (from air) building on previous EPSRC-funded research outcomes (EP/X016757/1). The main disruptive aspect of the technology is that it is driven by solar concentrated energy or efficient electricity-to-heat, negating the need of capital-intensive electrolysers. In addition, the new process will be inherently efficient, intermittent to align to the production of renewable energy, low-capital cost and modular, facilitating distributed manufacturing. The intended prototype will de-risk the technology to accelerate its future implementation. The use of ammonia as an energy vector will accelerate the achievement of UK Net Zero goals by resolving one of the key challenges: alignment of the production of renewable energy with our energy demands through a carbon-free, easy to liquify and store energy vector. Indeed, ammonia is a readily competitive energy carrier due to its high energy density, existing global transportation and storage infrastructure. However, as all other e-fuels (e.g. methanol, sustainable aviation fuels), their synthesis through conventional thermocatalytic processes require the use of capital-intensive and energy-inefficient electrolysers. Considering the UK’s overseas dependency on electrolyser manufacturing capacity and their high capital cost, the chances of achieving the UK Government’s target of 10 GW of electrolyser capacity by 2030 seem elusive, making the project particularly timely and opportune | |
| Data | No related datasets |
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| Projects | No related projects |
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| Publications | No related publications |
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| Added to Database | 29/10/25 | |
