Boron Catalyst Dinitrogen Reduction Ammonia Production

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current ammonia production processes, such as the Haber-Bosch process, require high energy inputs, generate significant carbon emissions, and have low yields, making them inefficient and environmentally detrimental.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the reduction of diazote in the presence of a compound comprising an element from group 13 of the periodic table, such as boron, and a reducing agent, followed by a hydrolysis stage in an acidic environment, to produce ammoniacal nitrogen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the Haber-Bosch process is used for ammonia production, then high ammonia output is achieved, but energy consumption and carbon emissions increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveammonia outputVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the reaction parameters from extreme conditions (high pressure and temperature) to mild conditions (ambient temperature and pressure). The boron-based catalyst enables the nitrogen fixation reaction to proceed efficiently under ambient conditions, fundamentally altering the operating parameters of the process while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical/thermal system (high pressure and temperature equipment) with a chemical system based on boron-based catalysis. The catalyst provides an alternative reaction pathway that does not require extreme mechanical conditions, thereby eliminating the need for energy-intensive compression and heating equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the Haber-Bosch process is used for ammonia production, then high ammonia output is achieved, but carbon dioxide emissions increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveammonia outputVSAvoidcarbon dioxide emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the fossil fuel-dependent thermal system with a chemical catalytic system. The boron-based catalyst enables nitrogen fixation without requiring combustion of fossil fuels for heat generation, thereby eliminating the source of carbon dioxide emissions while maintaining ammonia production capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the previously harmful requirement for high energy input (which caused carbon emissions) into a beneficial feature by discovering that boron-based catalysts enable the reaction to proceed under ambient conditions. The former harmful thermal energy input is replaced by a beneficial catalytic mechanism that operates without additional energy input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Temperature

If electrochemical reduction with noble metal electrocatalysts is used, then ammonia production under mild conditions is achieved, but raw material costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction temperatureVSAvoidraw material cost
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces expensive noble metal catalysts with a cheaper boron-based catalyst system. The boron compounds used are significantly less expensive than noble metals like ruthenium or gold, making the process economically viable while maintaining operation under mild temperature conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the catalyst material parameter from noble metals to boron-based compounds. This material substitution maintains the ability to operate under mild temperature conditions while dramatically reducing the cost of raw materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This process achieves ammoniacal nitrogen production under relatively mild conditions, using abundant and potentially recyclable raw materials, while reducing environmental impact and operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

a step of bringing a composition comprising a compound corresponding to the following formula (I): into contact with dinitrogen, under a dinitrogen atmosphere, to form at least one species based on nitrogen and the element M; and a step of hydrolysis of the at least one species formed in an acidic medium to form ammoniacal nitrogen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a step of hydrolysis of the at least one species formed in an acidic medium to form ammoniacal nitrogen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

a step of bringing a composition comprising a compound corresponding to the following formula (I): into contact with dinitrogen, under a dinitrogen atmosphere, to form at least one species based on nitrogen and the element M

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentEP4341214B1Method for producing ammonia nitrogen
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 CENT NAT DE LA RECH SCI (C N R S)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for producing ammonia nitrogen, using dinitrogen reduction in the presence of a compound (I) comprising at least one element from group 13 of the periodic table of elements and of a reducing agent; and to the use of said compound (I) for the dinitrogen reduction.