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Low Temperature, Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis--Lynntech, Inc., 7610 Eastmark Drive, Suite 202, College Station, TX  77840-4023; 979-693-0017, www.lynntech.com
Dr. Adrian Denvir, Principal Investigator, adrian.denvir@lynntech.com 
Dr. G. Duncan Hitchens, Business Official, duncan.hitchens@lynntech.com 
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-03ER83702
Amount:  $100,000

Approximately 3% of the world’s energy consumption goes into ammonia synthesis.  By far the most important method of making ammonia is the Haber-Bosch system, which accounts for over 90% of the world’s ammonia production.  However, this process suffers from low product yield and requires synthesis at high temperatures and pressures.  This project will use ambient temperature molten salts to reduce the operating temperature of a previously developed electrochemical method for the synthesis of ammonia, thereby further decreasing power consumption.  Phase I will evaluate the use of ambient temperature molten salts for electrochemical ammonia production through:  (1) fabrication of the electrodes and the apparatus, (2) evaluation of nitride stability in the molten salts, and (3) electrochemical production of ammonia at ambient temperatures.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:  The technology should decrease ammonia production costs by a factor of ten, from $56 per ton to $6 per ton.  In the United States , 19.196 million tons of ammonia are produced annually; therefore, a savings of $960 million per year could be realized.