RMIT University's breakthrough could reduce the cost of ammonia, a key ingredient in fertilizers that feed the world. Researchers using liquid metals as catalysts have come up with a low-carbon process for making ammonia that can run at a fraction of the energy and pressure needed to produce the substance. Not only is this green ammonia a sustainable option for agriculture, but it also offers a potential carrier for hydrogen in clean energy initiatives. We’ll delve into how this discovery could help shape the agriculture and energy industries and how MSE Supplies fits into this crusade for modern sustainable practices.

A Greener Way to Produce Ammonia

Research from the RMIT-led team shows a novel way to do ammonia synthesis using copper and gallium liquid metal droplets, which cut carbon emissions by almost 98 percent reduction over the century-old Haber-Bosch process. Using these 'nano planets' with a unique copper-gallium structure to drive nitrogen and hydrogen splitting means the impact on the environment is substantially less than using currently used platinum catalysts. This proof of concept shows the process working for the team’s future when there will be the production of ammonia at an industrial as well as at a local level, for example for local small farms or locally located setups.

How This Technology Works

The present approach to synthetic ammonia involves high temperatures and pressures that consume large amounts of energy and add to Greenhouse gas emissions. In comparison, this new approach relies on liquid metals as catalysts, performing reactions under much milder conditions, but with high efficiency. The synergy between gallium, for effective nitrogen breaking, and copper, for efficient hydrogen manipulating, results in ammonia production at a small fraction of the energy cost. This simplicity and efficiency make it an attractive solution for economic production in greener agriculture and clean energy transport.

The Role of Ammonia in Agriculture and Energy

Ammonia is an important part of the fertilizer as it is, as we all know, a very important component for crop growth, especially large amounts of production. Ammonia not only doubles as a promising hydrogen carrier, but it is also safer and more practical for energy transportation.  However the benefit of using hydrogen as a green fuel is overshadowed by very high emissions if conventional ammonia production methods are employed. By doing this, a sustainable ammonia economy is being devised which reduces emissions in agriculture and energy industries alike.

MSE Supplies Supporting Green Innovation

At MSE Supplies, we are committed to assisting in helping towards sustainable agriculture through a plethora of products that can be utilized to promote efficient and eco-friendly farming. Here are some of the specialized solutions we offer to help our customers embrace greener methods:

1. High-Purity Inorganic Chemicals – These materials are critical for their use in many agricultural and scientific applications, providing the foundational elements and corresponding compounds for optimized fertilizer production and the enrichment of soil.
2. Advanced Nitrogen Analyzers – These analyzers provide manufacturers with the ability to objectively measure nitrogen levels, thereby improving target nutrient management and minimizing over-fertilization.
3. Lab-Grade Analytical Tools – We have a great selection of high-quality equipment like pH meters and other vital testing instruments. These tools ensure that readings and data collection are accurate and know exactly how to control the growing process.

Now that RMIT’s pioneering research is progressing toward real-world applications, there’s potential to completely revolutionize the commercial production of ammonia for agriculture and energy distribution. MSE Supplies’ efforts to have their products empower farmers to embrace sustainable agricultural practices match well with the journey to greener ammonia production. With the potential for this new era of ammonia synthesis to deliver huge environmental benefits, including reduced carbon footprints, lower transport emissions and an overall more sustainable future, this is an exciting new era.

Learn more about how MSE Supplies can support your journey toward sustainable agriculture. Call us today, visit our website, and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates on our products and insights on green technologies.

Source:

1. RMIT University. (2024, September 19). Low-carbon ammonia offers green alternative for agriculture and hydrogen transport. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 5, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240919115018.htm
2. Zuraiqi, K., Jin, Y., Parker, C. J., Meilak, J., Meftahi, N., Christofferson, A. J., Russo, S. P., Spencer, M. J. S., Zhu, H. Y., Wang, L., Huang, J., Hocking, R. K., Chiang, K., Sarina, S., & Daeneke, T. (2024). Unveiling metal mobility in a liquid Cu–Ga catalyst for ammonia synthesis. Nature Catalysis. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-024-01219-z 
3. Low-carbon ammonia offers green alternative for agriculture and hydrogen transport. (n.d.). RMIT University. https://www.rmit.edu.au/news/all-news/2024/sep/liquid-metal-ammonia