Evaluating the demand response potential of ammonia plants

Abstract

Demand-side management/demand response (DSM/DR) are key strategies for mitigating the inherent variability in electricity generation rates by renewable sources.This article represents-to our knowledge-the first foray into assessing the DR potential of ammonia plants. Ammonia plants are interesting candidates for DR initiatives because of their significant electricity use (for operating compressors driving the synthesis loop) and the ability to store the ammonia product relatively easily and safely. Our approach is based on formulating and solving an optimal DR scheduling problem for an ammonia plant while accounting for the process dynamics. To this end, we introduce a new Hammerstein-Wiener-inspired modeling framework based on injecting linear dynamics in a first-principles static nonlinear model of the process.The results are encouraging; for the cases considered, peak-time power consumption decreases between 3.57% and 7.40%, coupled with 1.39% to 3.70% reductions in operating cost.

Impact of process flexibility and imperfect forecasting on the operation and design of Haber–Bosch green ammonia

“…Similarly, Verleysen et al 34 also considered the role of uncertainty in changing design, although this work applied an uncertainty to wind inputs to determine a relationship between plant oversizing and robustness. Kelley et al 35 examined the role of ammonia plants in providing a demand response service, looking at process chemistry to determine if a grid-connected plant could ramp down quickly in response to high prices, although this was not focussed on using weather forecast information. Allman and Daoutidis 36 adopted a rolling optimisation forecast to determine the operating state of their plant – this is similar to the MPC approach described here.…”

Distributed manufacturing for electrified chemical processes in a microgrid

“…Several works have been done with a focus on optimizing the scheduling of electrified processes. [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] For example, Brée et al 26 formulated and solved a model for the optimal scheduling of a chloralkali plant operating under different modes utilizing Demand Side Management.…”

Simple and Low-Cost Electroactive Membranes for Ammonia Recovery

“…6−8 Conventional ammonia production is based on the Haber-Bosch process, which consumes between 1−2% of global energy per year as the process requires high pressure (150−300 atm) and temperatures (673−803 K). 9,10 In conventional wastewater treatment (using the nitrification/denitrification process), approximately 50% of the total energy, and 60% of the total cost is associated with ammonium removal. 11,12 Hence, recovering ammonia from wastewater efficiently not only can cut down the energy consumption and cost of wastewater treatment but also produces a valuable resource as well.…”

“…However, nitrogen in the form of ammonium (NH 4 + ) is also one of the main contaminants in wastewater, as it can lead to eutrophication in receiving water bodies if not removed . In recent years ammonia recovery has attracted more attention because of its dual use as fertilizer and carbon-free fuel, as ammonia has a higher energy density than liquid hydrogen and about half that of typical hydrocarbon-based fuels. − Conventional ammonia production is based on the Haber-Bosch process, which consumes between 1–2% of global energy per year as the process requires high pressure (150–300 atm) and temperatures (673–803 K). , In conventional wastewater treatment (using the nitrification/denitrification process), approximately 50% of the total energy, and 60% of the total cost is associated with ammonium removal. , Hence, recovering ammonia from wastewater efficiently not only can cut down the energy consumption and cost of wastewater treatment but also produces a valuable resource as well.…”