Comparative techno-economic assessment of small-scale e-Haber-Bosch, plasma-electrocatalytic, and direct electrochemical nitrogen reduction pathways for clean and decentralized ammonia production
Journal of Cleaner Production, cilt.524, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 524
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.146473
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Cleaner Production
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, CAB Abstracts, Chimica, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, INSPEC, Metadex, Pollution Abstracts, Public Affairs Index, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Clean fuels, Decentralized production, Electrochemical nitrogen fixation, Green ammonia, Plasma catalysis, Techno-economic analysis
- Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The global transition toward sustainable agriculture and carbon-neutral fuels has increased interest in decentralized ammonia production systems to prevent high carbon emissions and ensure food security. This study presents a comparative techno-economic analysis of three emerging methods for green ammonia synthesis—electrochemical Haber-Bosch (e-HB), plasma-electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis (PEC), and direct electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR)—applied to small-scale modular plants up to 50 tons per day using a study estimate method. Each pathway is evaluated based on its energy efficiency, system complexity, scalability, and levelized cost of ammonia (LCOA) under realistic operational conditions powered by renewable electricity. The modeling framework integrates process-specific energy balances, Faradaic and voltaic efficiencies, and component-level capital (CAPEX) and operational (OPEX) expenses. Results show that while e-HB currently offers the lowest LCOA due to its compatibility with existing infrastructure such as compression systems, gas purification units, ammonia condensers, and storage facilities already deployed in conventional Haber–Bosch plants, plasma-electrocatalytic routes exhibit unique advantages in startup flexibility and CAPEX advantages. Direct NRR, though promising for long-term decentralization due to its single-step mechanism and simplicity, remains limited by low Faradaic efficiencies and corresponding high capital investment and power consumption. It is concluded that levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) below USD 20/MWh and scales between 20 and 50 ton/day can make e-HB and PEC competitive with conventional HB (c-HB) in terms of costs.