SE545957C2 - Continuous production of ammonia by electrolysis of a lithium salt with changing polarity - Google Patents
Continuous production of ammonia by electrolysis of a lithium salt with changing polarityInfo
- Publication number
- SE545957C2 SE545957C2 SE2350105A SE2350105A SE545957C2 SE 545957 C2 SE545957 C2 SE 545957C2 SE 2350105 A SE2350105 A SE 2350105A SE 2350105 A SE2350105 A SE 2350105A SE 545957 C2 SE545957 C2 SE 545957C2
- Authority
- SE
- Sweden
- Prior art keywords
- lithium
- cathode
- lithium salt
- anode
- electrode
- Prior art date
Links
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia Chemical compound N QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 52
- 159000000002 lithium salts Chemical class 0.000 title claims abstract description 46
- 229910003002 lithium salt Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 35
- 229910021529 ammonia Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 25
- 238000005868 electrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 title abstract description 10
- 238000010924 continuous production Methods 0.000 title abstract description 3
- WMFOQBRAJBCJND-UHFFFAOYSA-M Lithium hydroxide Chemical compound [Li+].[OH-] WMFOQBRAJBCJND-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims abstract description 60
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lithium Chemical compound [Li] WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 229910052744 lithium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- BHZCMUVGYXEBMY-UHFFFAOYSA-N trilithium;azanide Chemical compound [Li+].[Li+].[Li+].[NH2-] BHZCMUVGYXEBMY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 229910001873 dinitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- KWGKDLIKAYFUFQ-UHFFFAOYSA-M lithium chloride Chemical compound [Li+].[Cl-] KWGKDLIKAYFUFQ-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- WCUXLLCKKVVCTQ-UHFFFAOYSA-M Potassium chloride Chemical compound [Cl-].[K+] WCUXLLCKKVVCTQ-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000000374 eutectic mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- KZBUYRJDOAKODT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chlorine Chemical compound ClCl KZBUYRJDOAKODT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000001103 potassium chloride Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 235000011164 potassium chloride Nutrition 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 abstract description 12
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 13
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 12
- -1 hydroxy ions Chemical class 0.000 description 8
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 7
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 6
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 238000009620 Haber process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000000460 chlorine Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910052801 chlorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Chemical compound [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- HBBGRARXTFLTSG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lithium ion Chemical compound [Li+] HBBGRARXTFLTSG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000005496 eutectics Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229910001416 lithium ion Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- CPLXHLVBOLITMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium oxide Chemical compound [Mg]=O CPLXHLVBOLITMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052697 platinum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- GNFTZDOKVXKIBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3-(2-methoxyethoxy)benzohydrazide Chemical compound COCCOC1=CC=CC(C(=O)NN)=C1 GNFTZDOKVXKIBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000013473 artificial intelligence Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003197 catalytic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000008151 electrolyte solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910002804 graphite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010439 graphite Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005431 greenhouse gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008240 homogeneous mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000395 magnesium oxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000069 nitrogen hydride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001172 regenerating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008929 regeneration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011069 regeneration method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002269 spontaneous effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
- C25B1/01—Products
- C25B1/27—Ammonia
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
- C25B15/02—Process control or regulation
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
- C25B15/02—Process control or regulation
- C25B15/021—Process control or regulation of heating or cooling
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
- C25B15/02—Process control or regulation
- C25B15/023—Measuring, analysing or testing during electrolytic production
- C25B15/025—Measuring, analysing or testing during electrolytic production of electrolyte parameters
- C25B15/027—Temperature
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
- C25B15/08—Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
- C25B9/17—Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof
- C25B9/19—Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof with diaphragms
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
- C25B9/60—Constructional parts of cells
- C25B9/67—Heating or cooling means
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
- C25B1/01—Products
- C25B1/02—Hydrogen or oxygen
Abstract
There is provided continuous production method for ammonia by electrolysis of a lithium salt with changing polarity. The method is performed in an electrolytic cell comprising a first and a second compartment, wherein the first and second compartments are separated by an ion-membrane, the method comprising the steps:• heating the lithium salt above its melting point, • applying a voltage over the electrodes and adding nitrogen gas to the cathode so that lithium is formed at the cathode, and which lithium reacts with the added nitrogen gas to form lithium nitride at the cathode, and so that the lithium hydroxide at the anode reacts to form water and oxygen,• cooling the lithium salt below its melting point, • adding water or steam to the cathode so that it reacts with the lithium nitride formed in step d) and forms ammonia and lithium hydroxide,• changing polarity and repeating the process.
Description
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to manufacture of ammonia. More in detail it relates to manufacture of ammonia by electrolysis of a lithium salt, where the polarity
changes.
Background Ammonia is a very important chemical, which is produced in
many millions of tonnes every year.
Manufacture of ammonia in an industrial scale is well There is for instance the so called
which
studied and described. Haber-Bosch process described in US 1,202,995, discloses that ammonia can be obtained by passing a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen over a catalytic agent at a high temperature and removing at a lower temperature the ammonia contained in the gases leaving the catalyst. A disadvantage of the Haber-Bosch process is its large emission of greenhouse gases. The Haber-Bosch process consumes a lot of energy and it has been estimated that it consumes more than 1% of the global energy and about 3-5% of the fossil gas in the world for production of the hydrogen to the process. The Haber-Bosch process operates at a high pressure, which makes the equipment more expensive.
Ammonia can also be made using electrolysis. Then electricity from renewable sources can be used as energy
source to manufacture ammonia from for instance water and
nitrogen.
WO 2021/176041 discloses a method for manufacturing of ammonia using electrolysis. Lithium ions are reduced to lithium and reacted with nitrogen on the cathode. Lithium nitride reacts with water to form ammonia and lithium ions. The cathode potential is pulsed between the lithium
reduction potential and a less negative cathode potential.
There is a need to improve the manufacture of ammonia with a lower carbon footprint, lower energy consumption and a
simpler process.
Summary One object of the present invention is to obviate at least some of the disadvantages in the prior art and provide an
improved method and device for the manufacture of ammonia.
In a first aspect there is provided a method for
manufacturing ammonia Lv*
electrolytic cell (l) and a second
comprising a first (2)
(3) compartment, wherein the first and second compartments
are separated by a membrane (4) permeable to ions, wherein
the first compartment (2) comprises a first electrode (5) and wherein the second compartment (3) (6), compartments comprise
(7),
a.connecting the first electrode (5)
comprises a second
electrode wherein the first (2) and the second (3)
rising at least
one lithium salt the method comprising the steps of:
as a cathode
(C) and the second electrode (6) as an anode (A),
km an initial step of adding lithium hydroxide to the anode,
c.heating the elecïïmíyte comprising at least one
lithium salt above its melting point,
d.applying a voltage (V) over the first (5) and
second (6) electrodes and adding nitrogen gas to
the cathode (C) so that lithium is formed at the cathode (C), and which lithium reacts with the 5 added nitrogen gas to form lithium nitride at the cathode, and so that the lithium hydroxide
at the anode reacts to form water and oxygen,
e.cooling the el fär
g at least one
lithium salt below its melting point, lO f.adding water or steam to the cathode (C) so that it reacts with the lithium nitride formed in
step d) and forms ammonia and lithium hydroxide,
Further embodiments of the present invention are defined in the appended dependent claims, which are explicitly
incorporated herein.
One advantage is that the method can be run virtually continuously since the polarity of the electrode changes,
thereby regenerating the electrodes.
The method is energy efficient and only requires addition
of water and nitrogen when the process is up and running.
It is possible to perform the method under lower pressure compared to the prior art which gives a more cost
effective process.
The technology makes it possible to manufacture ammonia
locally, which minimizes distribution costs.
Brief description of the drawings
Aspects and embodiments will be described with reference
to the following drawings in which:
Figure la shows the electrolytic cell (l) comprising a
first (2) and a second (3) compartment separated by a membrane (4), a first electrode (5), a second electrode (6), as well as the content (7) in the first and second
compartments, i.e. at least one lithium salt. Also shown
are a cathode (C) an anode (A)
(5),
and a voltage (V) applied
over the first a second (6) electrode.
Detailed description
Before the invention is disclosed and described in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular configurations, process steps and materials disclosed herein as such configurations, process steps and materials may vary somewhat.
It must be noted that, as used in this specification and
the appended claims, the singular forms and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise.
The following terms are used throughout the description
and the claims.
Continuous as used herein refers to the production of ammonia, but is not truly continuous in a strict sense
since the process requires an interruption for cooling and so on. The ammonia is produced alternatingly at both electrodes, which is close to a truly continuous process and no interruption is required for regeneration of the electrodes. In this sense the process is continuous and is
thus denoted as continuous.
Electrolytic cell as used herein denotes an
electrochemical cell that utilizes an external source of
electrical energy to force a chemical reaction that would
The extern l energy source is a
voltage appliïe bïtween the cell's two electrodes; an and a cathode
(negatively charged electrode), which are immersed
FJ 5 h) [IS
, a current
P..J
electrolyte solution. In the eleotrolytio cel
passes through the cell by an external voltage, causing a
non-spontaneous chemical reaction to proceed.
The electrolytic cell has three main components: an
electrolyte and two electrodes (i.e, a cathode and an
anode). The electrolyte comprises at east one lithium
which is molten during the electrolysis, When driven bv an external voltage applied to the electrodes, the ions in the electrolyte are attracted to an electrode with the
opposite charge, where charge-traniferring reactions can
take place. Only with an external electric potential (i.e,, voltage) of correct polarity and sofficient
magnitude can the reaction take place. The electrical
energy provided can produce a chemical reaction that would
otherwise not occur spontaneousiy,
In the first aspect there is provided a method for manufacturing ammonia, comprising an electrolytic cell (l)
comprising a first (2) and a second (3) compartment,
wherein the first and second compartments are separated by wherein the first
a membrane (4) permeable to ions,
compartment (2) comprises a first electrode (5) and
wherein the second compartment (3) (6),
compartments comprise at least one lithium salt
comprises a second
electrode wherein the first (2) and the second (3)
(7), the method comprising the steps of: and
a. connecting the first electrode (5) as a cathode (C)
the second electrode (6) as an anode (A),
b. an initial step of adding lithium hydroxide to the anode,
c. heating the at least one lithium salt (7) above its
melting point,
d. applying a voltage (V) over the first (5) and second
(6) electrodes and adding nitrogen gas to the cathode (C) ,
which lithium reacts with the added nitrogen gas to
(C) so that lithium is formed at the cathode and
form lithium nitride at the cathode, and so that the
lithium hydroxide at the anode reacts to form water and
oxygen,
e. cooling the at least one lithium salt (7) below its melting point,
f. adding water or steam to the cathode (C) so that it
reacts with the lithium nitride formed in step d) and forms ammonia and lithium hydroxide,
g. changing polarity so that the first electrode (5) is
the anode (A) is the
(C),
and the second electrode (6) cathode and repeating the process from step c). The electrolyte comprises at least one lithium salt and is present in the first and second compartments. The electrolyte is a molten salt.
When the reaction starts, one polarity is chosen, such as the first electrode as cathode and the second electrode as anode. This polarity is reversed in step g.
When the reaction is started an amount of lithium hydroxide is added to the anode. This is normally done only when the reaction starts. The lithium hydroxide is regenerated during the reaction.
When the electrolysis is to begin the electrolyte, i.e. a salt is heated so that it melts. It is suitable to select a salt with relatively low melting point for better process economy. One option is to mix the lithium salt
with another salt so that a mixture with lower melting
point is obtained. One example is an eutectic mixture
comprising a lithium salt.
Water should not be present in the electrolyte during the
electrolysis (step d) since any formed lithium will react
with the water.
During the electrolysis a voltage V is applied over the electrodes. At the same time nitrogen gas is added to the
cathode. Elemental lithium forms at the cathode. The elemental lithium reacts with the nitrogen gas to form
lithium nitride.
6Li+ NZ s 2Li3N
At the anode lithium hydroxide reacts so that water and oxygen is formed. Lithium ions are transferred to the
cathode.
When the reaction has proceeded for some time, the
electrolysis is stopped and the electrolyte (i.e. the at
least one lithium salt) is cooled. This can suitably be
made when the lithium hydroxide at the anode is consumed In one embodiment, is carried out
by the reaction. step d)
until the lithium hydroxide added in step b) is consumed.
After the cooling of the electrolyte, i.e. the at least
one lithium salt, water is added to the cathode. The water
is added as steam and/or liquid water. The lithium nitride formed at the cathode then reacts with the water to form
ammonia and lithium hydroxide.
Li3N + 3H2O ä NH3 + 3LiOH
When the lithium nitride has reacted, the lithium
hydroxide is regenerated. The polarity is then changed so
that the reaction can be carried out again.
The polarity change makes it possible to run the process continuously with a shorter interruption for cooling to generate the ammonia. The reaction can be repeated as many
times as desired. Steps c)-g) are then repeated as desired. Normally no additional salts have to be added to the system. Only nitrogen gas and water has to be added during operation when the device is up and running. It is an advantage of the process that the system can regenerate so that the polarity can be switched.
Lithium hydroxide should be present at the anode. If for instance lithium chloride is the lithium salt, then chlorine gas may form at the anode if the hydroxy ions were not present. The hydroxy ions have a lower ionization potential compared to the chlorine ions. If the voltage is not too high, then no chlorine gas or essentially no chlorine gas will be formed at the anode.
In one embodiment, the at least one lithium salt (7) is in an eutectic mixture comprising at least one lithium salt.
A eutectic mixture is a homogenous mixture that has
f' 1 .L
meltihg point lower than those of th tituent:.
(D (ß Ü (p
C O ll
O)
lowest possible melting point over all of the mixing
called the eutectic
or the constituents i
(ln one embodiment, the mixing ratio of the such that the lowest J temperature occurs, i.e. at
temperature.
In one embodiment, the at least one lithium salt (7) is an eutectic mixture of lithium chloride and potassium
chloride, and wherein the at least one lithium salt (7) is heated above 354 °C in step c). 354 °C is roughly the eutectic temperature of a mixture consisting of lithium chloride and potassium chloride. Hence, the composition of lithium chloride and potassium chloride with the lowest melting point is chosen in one embodiment. The at least one lithium salt can also be heated a bit above its an eutectic
melting temperature. In one embodiment,
mixture of lithium chloride and potassium chloride is heated to 100 °C above its melting temperature. An advantage of selecting an eutectic mixture is that the
melting point is lower.
Many different mixtures comprising at least one lithium salt can be used. It is suitable that the melting temperature is not too high and thus a mixture of a lithium salt with another salt or another compound which reduces the melting point is suitable.
the at least one lithium salt is cooled to
In step e)
below its melting point. In one embodiment, it is cooled
to below the boiling point of water to facilitate the the at least one
addition of water. In one embodiment,
lithium salt (7) is cooled below 80 °C in step e).
If the voltage is too high, then chlorine ions may form
chlorine gas at the anode. However since hydroxy ions are present they will react easier than the chlorine ions and thus it is possible to choose a suitable voltage so that
In one
the hydroxy ions, but not the chlorine ions react.
embodiment, the voltage (V) is adjusted so that
essentially no chlorine gas is formed at the anode (A).
In the second aspect there is provided an electrolytic
cell (l) comprising a first (2) and a second (3)
compartment, wherein the first (2) and second (3)
compartments are separated by a membrane (4) permeable to
ions, wherein the first compartment (2) comprises a first
electrode (5) and wherein the second compartment (3) (6),
electrodes are adapted to change polarity
comprises a second electrode wherein the first (5) and second (6) so that the first electrode (5) is adapted to change (A), whereas the
between being a cathode (C) and an anode
second electrode (6) (C) ,
comprises a heater and a cooler so that a content (7) in
is adapted to change between an anode (A) and a cathode wherein the electrolytic cell (l)
the first and second compartment can be heated or cooled, wherein the electrolytic cell (l) comprises a tube for (C) ,
comprises a tube for addition of
addition of nitrogen to the cathode and wherein the electrolytic cell (l)
water or steam to the cathode (C).
In one embodiment of the second aspect, the first (5) and
second (6) electrodes comprise at least one selected from
the group consisting of graphite, platinum, and platinum
coated metal.
In one embodiment of the second aspect, the membrane (4)
is a porous magnesia diaphragm.
In one embodiment of the second aspect,
cell (l)
the electrolytic is communicatively connected to a programmable
controller, wherein the programmable controller is
configured to control at least one selected from the group
consisting of i) the heater, ii) the cooler, iii) a
voltage (V) applied over the first (5) and second (6)
electrodes, and iv) the polarity of the voltage applied
lover the first (5) and second (6) and wherein
the programmable controller is communicatively connected
electrodes,
to at least one selected from the group consisting of i) (2) a voltage sensor for the (6) and a polarity sensor for the polarity of the voltage
(5) (6)
temperature sensor for the temperature in the first
and second (3) compartments, ii)
voltage between the first (5) and second electrodes,
applied over the first and second electrodes. The programmable controller has the advantage that the different functions can be programmed so that the system is easier to operate and/or so that it can operate autonomously. Further there is the possibility to use an
artificial intelligence to optimize and control the
process.
Claims (6)
- Claims g an electrolytic cell (l) comprising a first (2) and a second (3) compartment, wherein the first and second compartments are separated by a membrane (4) permeable to ions, wherein the first compartment (2) comprises a first electrode (5) and wherein the second compartment (3) comprises a second electrode (6), wherein the first (2) and the second (3) compartments comprise an eíectrolyte eompfising at least one lithium salt (7), the method comprising the steps of: a.connecting the first electrode (5) as a cathode (C) and the second electrode (6) as an anode (Ä), km an initial step of adding lithium hydroxide to the anode, c.heating the electïolwtw \"ising at least one lithium salt its melting point, d.applying a voltage (V) over the first (5) and second (6) electrodes and adding nitrogen gas to the cathode (C) so that lithium is formed at the cathode (C), and which lithium reacts with the added nitrogen gas to form lithium nitride at the cathode, and so that the lithium hydroxide at the anode reacts to form water and oxygen, e. cooling the elecïrolyte Qomprisinfi at least one lithium salt (7) below its melting point, f.adding water or steam to the cathode (C) so that it reacts with the lithium nitride formed in step d) and forms ammonia and lithium hydroxide, .The method according to claim l, wherein step d) is carried out until the lithium hydroxide added in step b) is consumed. .The method according to any one of claims l-2, wherein the electrolyte compr :ing at least one lithium salt (7) is an eutectic mixture comprising at least one lithium salt. .The method according to any one of claims l-3, wherein the electrolyte compïis ng at least one lithium salt (7) is an eutectic mixture of lithium chloride and potassium chloride, and wherein the rising at least one lithium salt (7) is heated above 354 °C in step c). .The method according to any one of claims l-4, wherein the eleëtïolyte comprising at least one lithium salt (7) is cooled below 80 °C in step e). .The method according to any one of claims l-5, wherein the voltage (V) is adjusted so that essentially no chlorine gas is formed at the anode (A).
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE2350105A SE545957C2 (en) | 2023-02-03 | 2023-02-03 | Continuous production of ammonia by electrolysis of a lithium salt with changing polarity |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE2350105A SE545957C2 (en) | 2023-02-03 | 2023-02-03 | Continuous production of ammonia by electrolysis of a lithium salt with changing polarity |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| SE2350105A1 SE2350105A1 (en) | 2024-03-26 |
| SE545957C2 true SE545957C2 (en) | 2024-03-26 |
Family
ID=89723236
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE2350105A SE545957C2 (en) | 2023-02-03 | 2023-02-03 | Continuous production of ammonia by electrolysis of a lithium salt with changing polarity |
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| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| SE (1) | SE545957C2 (en) |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2012026036A (en) * | 2010-06-24 | 2012-02-09 | I'msep Co Ltd | Method and apparatus for electrolytically synthesizing ammonia |
| US20160068974A1 (en) * | 2005-10-13 | 2016-03-10 | Mantra Energy Alternatives Ltd. | Continuous co-current electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide |
| US20180029895A1 (en) * | 2016-08-01 | 2018-02-01 | The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford Junior University | Electro-thermochemical Li Cycling for NH3 Synthesis from N2 and H2O |
| US20190161876A1 (en) * | 2016-07-28 | 2019-05-30 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Electrochemical Method of Ammonia Generation |
-
2023
- 2023-02-03 SE SE2350105A patent/SE545957C2/en unknown
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20160068974A1 (en) * | 2005-10-13 | 2016-03-10 | Mantra Energy Alternatives Ltd. | Continuous co-current electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide |
| JP2012026036A (en) * | 2010-06-24 | 2012-02-09 | I'msep Co Ltd | Method and apparatus for electrolytically synthesizing ammonia |
| US20190161876A1 (en) * | 2016-07-28 | 2019-05-30 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Electrochemical Method of Ammonia Generation |
| US20180029895A1 (en) * | 2016-08-01 | 2018-02-01 | The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford Junior University | Electro-thermochemical Li Cycling for NH3 Synthesis from N2 and H2O |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| Xingyu Ma et al: Continuous ammonia synthesis using Ru nanoparticles based on Li-N2 battery, Materials Today Energy 29 (2022) 101113 * |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| SE2350105A1 (en) | 2024-03-26 |
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