Cracking ammonia could unlock hydrogen
7 December 2023
AFC Energy plc, a provider of hydrogen power and generation technologies, has unveiled what is describes as a world-first modular ammonia cracker system that could be used to produce hydrogen as a fuel source.
Located in the UK, the plant uses ammonia procured from OCI Global and is designed to deliver 140 tonnes of fuel cell grade (ISO) hydrogen daily, or 400kg. This could then be used with AFC Energy’s hydrogen power generators.
Speedy Hire recently established a 50:50 joint venture with AFC Energy, called Speedy Hydrogen Solutions Ltd (SHS), to hire out hydrogen powered generators designed specifically for the off-grid generation market. Hydrogen produced by the cracker system could be used in such applications, which use fuel cells.
The ammonia was supplied by OCI via its Rotterdam terminal, where it imports from its facilities in the US, the Middle East and North Africa.
AFC Energy points out that the Hydrogen Council, in collaboration with McKinsey and Company, forecasts that 400 out of the 660 million tons of hydrogen needed for carbon neutrality by 2050 will be transported over long distances, with the global trade of hydrogen derivatives, including ammonia (comprising hydrogen and nitrogen) accounting for approximately 45%.
The company adds that the established supply chain for ammonia enables a lower barrier to its adoption globally as a hydrogen carrier fuel, but says that a lack of commercially available ammonia cracking technologies highlights an important challenge in the ammonia value chain.
The cracker system consumes a small fraction of the power consumed by electrolysers, making it a useful potential hydrogen source for use in stationary installations, motive refuelling and maritime applications, says AFC Energy.
The demonstration plant, including purification technology, will now be operated and validated over several months with targeted ISO grade (99.97%) hydrogen production.
AFC Energy also expects to commence cracking green ammonia for the next stage of the project.
Adam Bond, the company’s Chief Executive, said: “AFC Energy's first pilot project is a major step forward in unlocking the barriers of hydrogen logistics and transport. The cracker system, in containerised form, will be capable of replication across Europe and Asia with our ability to generate low cost, decarbonised hydrogen from internationally traded green and blue ammonia being a key step forward in the evolution of the global hydrogen market."
