The Need
The ammonia industry is a major contributor to global CO₂ emissions, primarily due to its reliance on fossil fuels for hydrogen production and the energy-intensive air separation process for nitrogen. With over 500 million tons of CO₂ emitted annually from ammonia synthesis, there is a critical need for scalable, low-carbon alternatives. Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 requires innovative technologies that decarbonize ammonia and hydrogen production while maintaining economic viability and integration with existing infrastructure.

The Technology
This technology, developed by OSU engineers, utilizes a novel chemical looping process to generate hydrogen and nitrogen from renewable biomass, eliminating the need for fossil fuels and traditional air separation units. The system employs interconnected reactors and oxygen carrier particles to convert biomass into high-purity hydrogen and nitrogen in adjustable ratios, suitable for direct use in ammonia synthesis (e.g., the Haber-Bosch process). The process also produces sequestration-ready CO₂, supporting carbon capture strategies and enabling sustainable, closed-loop chemical manufacturing.

Commercial Applications
• Green ammonia production for fertilizers and energy storage
• Low-carbon hydrogen generation for fuel, chemicals, and refining
• Sustainable synthesis of hydrazine, hydroxylamine, and nitric acid
• Integration with carbon capture and utilization (CCU) platforms

Benefits/Advantages
• Dramatically reduces or eliminates CO₂ emissions compared to steam methane reforming and conventional air separation
• Utilizes renewable, widely available biomass feedstocks
• Produces hydrogen and nitrogen in optimal ratios
• Lowers energy and capital costs
• Enables straightforward retrofitting or integration with existing ammonia plants