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Energy efficiency improvements in ammonia production—perspectives and uncertainties

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  • Rafiqul, Islam
  • Weber, Christoph
  • Lehmann, Bianca
  • Voss, Alfred

Abstract

The paper discusses the energy consumption and energy saving potential for a major energy-intensive product in the chemical industry-ammonia, based on technologies currently in use and possible process improvements. The paper consists of four parts. In the first part, mainly references to various ammonia production technologies are given. Energy consumption, emissions and saving potentials are discussed in the second part. Thereby, the situation in Europe, the US and India is highlighted and various data sources are compared. In the third part of the paper, a novel approach for modeling energy efficiency improvements is described that accounts for uncertainties and unobserved heterogeneity in the production processes. Besides new investments, revamping investments are also included in the modeling and the development of the production stock is accounted for. Finally, in the fourth part, this approach is applied to the modeling of energy efficiency improvements and CO2 emission reductions in ammonia production. Thereby, considerable improvements in specific energy use and CO2 emissions are found in the reference scenario, yet under the assumption of high oil and gas prices, a partial switch to coal based technologies is expected which lowers notably the CO2 efficiency. Introduction of a CO2 penalty under a certificate trading or other regime is on contrary found to foster energy efficiency and the use of low carbon technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Rafiqul, Islam & Weber, Christoph & Lehmann, Bianca & Voss, Alfred, 2005. "Energy efficiency improvements in ammonia production—perspectives and uncertainties," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 30(13), pages 2487-2504.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:30:y:2005:i:13:p:2487-2504
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2004.12.004
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    5. Flórez-Orrego, Daniel & de Oliveira Junior, Silvio, 2017. "Modeling and optimization of an industrial ammonia synthesis unit: An exergy approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 234-250.
    6. Muhammad Aziz & Agung Tri Wijayanta & Asep Bayu Dani Nandiyanto, 2020. "Ammonia as Effective Hydrogen Storage: A Review on Production, Storage and Utilization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-25, June.
    7. Alizadeh, Reza & Lund, Peter D. & Soltanisehat, Leili, 2020. "Outlook on biofuels in future studies: A systematic literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    8. Talaei, Alireza & Ahiduzzaman, Md. & Kumar, Amit, 2018. "Assessment of long-term energy efficiency improvement and greenhouse gas emissions mitigation potentials in the chemical sector," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 231-247.
    9. Liu, Xiaoyu & Chen, Dingjiang & Zhang, Wenjun & Qin, Weizhong & Zhou, Wenji & Qiu, Tong & Zhu, Bing, 2013. "An assessment of the energy-saving potential in China's petroleum refining industry from a technical perspective," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 38-49.
    10. Wang, Xiaoyu & Su, Mingze & Zhao, Haibo, 2021. "Process design and exergy cost analysis of a chemical looping ammonia generation system using AlN/Al2O3 as a nitrogen carrier," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    11. McKenna, R.C. & Norman, J.B., 2010. "Spatial modelling of industrial heat loads and recovery potentials in the UK," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(10), pages 5878-5891, October.
    12. Hayashi, Daisuke & Krey, Matthias, 2007. "Assessment of clean development mechanism potential of large-scale energy efficiency measures in heavy industries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(10), pages 1917-1931.
    13. Nordborg, Maria & Berndes, Göran & Dimitriou, Ioannis & Henriksson, Annika & Mola-Yudego, Blas & Rosenqvist, Håkan, 2018. "Energy analysis of willow production for bioenergy in Sweden," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 473-482.
    14. Andrea Ramírez & Martin K. Patel & Kornelis Blok, 2011. "Using Physical Indicators to Monitor Energy Efficiency in Energy-Extensive Sectors," Chapters, in: Raymond J.G.M. Florax & Henri L.F. de Groot & Peter Mulder (ed.), Improving Energy Efficiency through Technology, chapter 4, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    15. Bühler, Fabian & Guminski, Andrej & Gruber, Anna & Nguyen, Tuong-Van & von Roon, Serafin & Elmegaard, Brian, 2018. "Evaluation of energy saving potentials, costs and uncertainties in the chemical industry in Germany," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 2037-2049.
    16. Flórez-Orrego, Daniel & de Oliveira Junior, Silvio, 2016. "On the efficiency, exergy costs and CO2 emission cost allocation for an integrated syngas and ammonia production plant," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 117(P2), pages 341-360.
    17. Bertilsson, Göte O.B. & Kirchmann, Holger, 2021. "Sustainable N fertilizer production based on a loop: Straw - biogas – ‘Haber-Bosch’ process," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    18. Rao, Xufeng & Liu, Minmin & Chien, Meifang & Inoue, Chihiro & Zhang, Jiujun & Liu, Yuyu, 2022. "Recent progress in noble metal electrocatalysts for nitrogen-to-ammonia conversion," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    19. Brandenburg, Marcus, 2017. "A hybrid approach to configure eco-efficient supply chains under consideration of performance and risk aspects," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 58-76.
    20. Penkuhn, Mathias & Tsatsaronis, George, 2017. "Comparison of different ammonia synthesis loop configurations with the aid of advanced exergy analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 854-864.
    21. Sarkar, Susanjib & Kumar, Amit & Sultana, Arifa, 2011. "Biofuels and biochemicals production from forest biomass in Western Canada," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(10), pages 6251-6262.
    22. Zhou, Wenji & Zhu, Bing & Li, Qiang & Ma, Tieju & Hu, Shanying & Griffy-Brown, Charla, 2010. "CO2 emissions and mitigation potential in China's ammonia industry," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(7), pages 3701-3709, July.
    23. Michalsky, Ronald & Parman, Bryon J. & Amanor-Boadu, Vincent & Pfromm, Peter H., 2012. "Solar thermochemical production of ammonia from water, air and sunlight: Thermodynamic and economic analyses," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 42(1), pages 251-260.

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