Renewable Ammonia Electrochemical Synthesis by Glow Discharge with an Iron Based Catalyst

Overview

Ammonia fertilizers feed over half of the global population. However, its synthesis through the Haber-Bosch process is extremely unsustainable, leading to over 20% of global chemical CO2 emissions. This device aims to offer an alternative process of ammonia synthesis that is sustainable, non-invasive, and cost-effective. Ultimately, being able to synthesize ammonia on demand and off-grid. The development of the device followed an interaction cycle of conceptualization, prototyping, fabrication, assembly, and testing. The device uses glow discharge to break the nitrogen triple bond, an approach that is much less energy-intensive than heat. The hydrogen gas is produced with electrolysis instead of methane reforming. An iron-based catalyst lowers the activation energy of ammonia synthesis. The synthesized ammonia is trapped in a liquid solution, and the remaining hydrogen and nitrogen gases are reintroduced. The cost-effectiveness of the device was measured by the Moles of Ammonia per watt-hour of the device. The pH of the gas trap was measured with a pH meter, which can be used to derive Moles of Ammonia. The device did not meet its goal of cost effectiveness as the moles per watt hour of the device was 2.48E10 % smaller than the average mole per watt hour of the Haber Bosch Process given by the Ammonia Energy Association, and 1.48E10 % smaller than the mole per watt hour of the electrochemical ammonia synthesis device of Hu et al. The yield of the device with and without the iron catalyst was not significant, being 0.27% different. However, it met its goal of being sustainable and non-invasive, as the device can have zero carbon emissions, has no chemical residue, produces satisfactory levels of sound (44.2dB), and it is easily disassembled and transported. The major problem of the device was the difficulty of maintaining a strong vacuum. This reduced the Faradaic efficiency of the device, thus reducing the yield. The high temperature of the glow discharge deteriorated any type of vacuum seal. To overcome these problems, a temperature-resistant, removable, vacuum seal is required, along with a lab-grade glass chamber.

Competition history

CSEF 2026 Chemistry (Senior Division) · Entry S-05-09

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ISEF · 2026