Ammonia Production via Dual Catalyst Electrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing ammonia by electrolysis face efficiency issues at room temperature and involve complex membrane treatment processes.
Innovation Solution
A novel ammonia production method using a membrane electrode assembly or gas diffusion electrode with a combination of a metal complex and a solid catalyst, including platinum, gold, palladium, or zinc oxide, to facilitate electrochemical ammonia production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrolysis is performed at high temperature (90-100°C) to achieve acceptable ammonia synthesis efficiency, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases and operation at room temperature becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from high temperature (90-100°C) to room temperature operation, while simultaneously changing the catalyst system parameter by introducing a dual-catalyst configuration (metal complex and solid catalyst) to maintain reaction efficiency at the lower temperature
2Reliability
If a membrane is used as an electrolyte film to enable proton conduction, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to required membrane treatment processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the proton conduction function from a separate membrane component and integrates it directly into the cathode catalyst layer by incorporating a proton conductor, thereby eliminating the need for separate membrane treatment processes while maintaining reliable proton conduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the catalyst layer and electrolyte film functions into a single integrated cathode structure, combining the metal complex catalyst, solid catalyst, and proton conductor into one component that performs both catalysis and proton conduction
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method efficiently produces ammonia from nitrogen molecules with improved efficiency at room temperature and simplifies the membrane treatment process, also allowing for the reuse of hydrogen gas and energy savings.
Implementation Method 1
a method for producing ammonia from nitrogen molecules by electrolysis in a low temperature range
Implementation Method 2
in the presence of a metal complex and a solid catalyst in a cathode
Implementation Method 3
the proton source is at least one selected from the group consisting of an electrolyte film, an electrolytic solution, a catalyst layer, and an electrolyte in the catalyst layer
Data Source
AI summary
An ammonia production method involves producing ammonia from nitrogen molecules, in a production device for performing electrolysis, in the presence of a metal complex and a solid catalyst in a cathode, by providing electrons from a power source, protons from a proton source, and nitrogen molecules from a means for supplying nitrogen gas, and by providing hydrogen molecules by sending hydrogen molecules to an anode including sending hydrogen gas produced at the cathode to the anode. Concerning a metal complex and a solid catalyst, as the metal complex, rac-ethylenebis(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-indenyl) zirconium dichloride or the like is used, and as the solid catalyst, a metal catalyst or the like is used.