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Ammonia was synthesized from its elements at atmospheric pressure in a solid state proton (H+)-conducting cell-reactor. Hydrogen was flowing over the anode and was converted into protons that were transported through the solid electrolyte and reached the cathode (palladium) over which nitrogen was passing. At 570 degreesC and atmospheric pressure, greater than 78 percent of the electrochemically supplied hydrogen was converted into ammonia. The thermodynamic requirement for a high-pressure process is eliminated.

Ammonia is the primary chemical intermediate in the fertilizer industry and an important carbon-free energy carrier. Currently, however, ammonia constitutes the most energy-intensive chemical worldwide. Using the feed gases of the conventional Haber-Bosch process, we combined the main stages of an ammonia plant in a single protonic ceramic membrane reactor. The electrochemical process designed can synthesize ammonia with as little as 50% the CO 2 emissions and 25% the energy.

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