Techno-Economic Optimization of a Decentralized, Small-Scale Electrochemical Haber-Bosch Process for Green Ammonia Production

Öz

Ammonia has become a strategic compound for sustainable energy systems due to its carbon-free structure, high hydrogen density and compatibility with existing infrastructures. In this study, the technical and economic feasibility of green ammonia production based on the electrochemical Haber-Bosch (eHB) process is analysed in detail. Modelling results show that reactor pressure and electrolyser efficiency have decisive effects on the levelized cost of ammonia (LCOA) and operating expenses (OPEX). Under pressures above 9 MPa, the conversion efficiency and the residence time in the reactor decreases, decreasing the conversion efficiency but resulting in a smaller reactor volume, thus reducing reactor costs. Especially at electricity prices as low as 30 USD/MWh, LCOA has been observed to be competitive with conventional methods at scales above 25 tonnes/day. Furthermore, increases in capacity factor and production scale improve economic performance by spreading capital and fixed operating costs over a larger production volume The results demonstrate that high-pressure eHB systems supported by renewable sources offer an industrially viable and competitive option for decentralised green ammonia production across various sectors, from the fertiliser industry to hydrogen carrier applications.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• CAPEX/OPEX
• green ammonia production
• Haber-Bosh process
• levelized cost of ammonia
• techno-economic assessment

Destekleyen Kurum

Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University

Proje Numarası

FMG-2025-2704

Etik Beyan

The author(s) of this article declare that the materials and methods used in this study do not require ethical committee permission and/or legal-special permission.

Teşekkür

This work was supported by the Research Fund of Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University under the project number FMG-2025-2704 within the scope of the ONAP program. The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial and institutional support that made this study possible

Yeşil Amonyak Üretimi için Merkezi Olmayan, Küçük Ölçekli Elektrokimyasal Haber-Bosch Sürecinin Teknolojik-Ekonomik Optimizasyonu

Öz

Amonyak, karbon içermeyen yapısı, yüksek hidrojen yoğunluğu ve mevcut altyapılarla uyumluluğu nedeniyle sürdürülebilir enerji sistemleri için stratejik bir bileşik haline gelmiştir. Bu çalışmada, elektrokimyasal Haber-Bosch (eHB) sürecine dayalı yeşil amonyak üretiminin teknik ve ekonomik fizibilitesi ayrıntılı olarak analiz edilmiştir. Modelleme sonuçları, reaktör basıncı ve elektrolizör verimliliğinin amonyağın seviyelendirilmiş maliyetine (LCOA) ve işletme giderlerine (OPEX) belirleyici etkileri olduğunu göstermektedir. 9 MPa'nın üzerindeki basınçlarda, dönüşüm verimliliği ve reaktördeki kalma süresi azalır, bu da dönüşüm verimliliğini düşürür ancak reaktör hacminin küçülmesine ve dolayısıyla reaktör maliyetlerinin azalmasına neden olur. Özellikle 30 USD/MWh gibi düşük elektrik fiyatlarında, LCOA'nın 25 ton/gün üzerindeki ölçeklerde geleneksel yöntemlerle rekabet edebileceği gözlemlenmiştir. Ayrıca, kapasite faktörü ve üretim ölçeğindeki artışlar, sermaye ve sabit işletme maliyetlerini daha büyük bir üretim hacmine yayarak ekonomik performansı iyileştirir. Sonuçlar, yenilenebilir kaynaklarla desteklenen yüksek basınçlı eHB sistemlerinin, gübre endüstrisinden hidrojen taşıyıcı uygulamalarına kadar çeşitli sektörlerde merkezi olmayan yeşil amonyak üretimi için endüstriyel olarak uygulanabilir ve rekabetçi bir seçenek sunduğunu göstermektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• CAPEX/OPEX
• yeşil amonyak üretimi
• Haber-Bosh prosesi
• amonyağın seviyelendirilmiş maliyeti
• tekno-ekonomik değerlendirme

Destekleyen Kurum

Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt Üniversitesi

Proje Numarası

FMG-2025-2704

Etik Beyan

Bu makalenin yazarları, bu çalışmada kullanılan materyaller ve yöntemlerin etik kurul izni ve/veya yasal özel izin gerektirmediğini beyan ederler.

Teşekkür

Bu çalışma, ONAP programı kapsamında FMG-2025-2704 proje numarasıyla Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt Üniversitesi Araştırma Fonu tarafından desteklenmiştir. Yazarlar, bu çalışmayı mümkün kılan mali ve kurumsal desteği minnetle takdir ederler.

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