Ammonia as a Hydrogen Source for Fuel Cells: A Review

A proposed Australian transition to an anhydrous ammonia fuel transport economy to replace liquid petroleum fuels

“…Competing future fuels such as DME are also attractive [29] but lack the freedom from a CO 2 emission footprint. Probably both NH 3 and DME have a future in tomorrow's world. One factor of importance is that both these fuels have similar and dissimilar properties which are useful and they can be used with each other.…”

“…Anhydrous ammonia (NH 3 ) has long been considered to be an ideal fuel for a future world economy [3]. This is largely because it is a hydrogen carrier which can be liquefied to high density and carried in low pressure tanks similar to those now used for LPG.…”

“…Considerable research into developing fuel cells suited to ammonia fuel at lower temperature is underway in several research groups [4,[10][11][12][13][14] because of the convenience and efficiency of an ammonia fuel cell in transportation [3]. Progress in this area would be of much benefit in the light of the extent and cost of the work outlined in Appendix I.…”

“…One well-established organisation has been active for many years in promoting the concept [4]. Even today, some optimistic predictions estimate NH 3 to cost only 30% of the price of petroleum fuels, but opinions vary and, anyway there are complications and uncertainties in knowing how to use NH 3 effectively.…”

“…Currently it is made in bulk, mainly for use as an agricultural fertiliser, by the 100 year old Haber-Bosch process according to the exothermic reaction: N 2 + 3H 2 = 2NH 3 (1)…”