Novel Approach Improves Ammonia Process Efficiency Use of artificial intelligence and first principles hybrid modeling provides gains

摘要

AMMONIA IS one of the most important products in the global fertilizer industry,with applications also in pharmaceuticals,textiles,cleaning products,wastewater treatment and more.With the surge of interest in hydrogen as a fuel,ammonia has gained attention as an easily transportable way to store and reconvert hydrogen for applications such as fuel cells for cars.While there is research focused on green ammonia produced by electrolysis and powered by renewable energy,the conventional ammonia production process uses natural gas through steam methane reforming.The process is highly energy intensive and significantly impacts carbon emissions worldwide.Therefore,a strong incentive exists to improve energy and resource efficiency in the manufacture of ammonia to reduce the environmental footprint.This is incredibly important as asset-intensive industries,and the rest of the world,strive to achieve net-zero emissions.(For details on some current efforts,see"Collaboration Promises a Winning Hand,"https://bit.ly/3zB2bCL,and"Net Zero Efforts Add Up,"https://bit.ly/37kcWxr.)