Currently the Haber process uses up about 1% of the worlds energy supply and the energy used for this process is from natural gas. If we experience a shortage in natural gas, is it possible to efficiently do nitrogen fixation with electricity? I'm asking because I'm wondering if it would be viable to produce fertilizer using nuclear energy.
2006-10-24 16:51:25 · 1 answers · asked by professional student 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
There is no reason why electricity should not be used in the heating duty for the steam reforming and Haber process heating and other process duties in an ammonia complex (a hydrocarbon or carbon feedstock would still be required for the steam reforming though). At present electricity (nuclear or not) is highly uneconomic for most process heating duties.
Edited comment: The steam reforming could be replaced by hydrogen produced by electrolysis from water.
2006-10-24 17:23:11 · answer #1 · answered by Robert A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋