Instead of producing H2 from ammonia electrolysis, one can use NH3 as fuel for SOFC application. With this approach, not only we can replace H2 as a fuel for SOFC which has its own shortcomings like storage, flammability, and less energy density as compared with NH3, we can generate energy (electricity). The only challenge right now is a stable anode catalyst that can survive the ammonia atmosphere, and also produce enough current density, but research is going on and soon there will be the option for a stable and energy-efficient anode catalyst.

One of the main problems of ammonia energy is the production and storage of ammonia. In my opinion, we are still very far from being able to seriously talk about the large-scale use of ammonia for hydrogen production.

What is the possible source of NH3 for a mass production of H2?

Dear Yurii. We all know that the natural source of ammonia not exist. Ammonia may be considered as a kind of "buffer" between the production of ammonia (the industrial method for producing ammonia is based on the direct interaction of hydrogen and nitrogen (Haber process) N2 + 3H2 = NH3) for the subsequent production of hydrogen from ammonia. This raises questions about the energy and economic feasibility of large-scale use of ammonia as source of hydrogen.

Dear Denis Osinkin I knew the answer and absolutely agree with you. I posted the question to warm up the discussion.

The related https://www.researchgate.net/post/Could_hydrogen_and_gaseous_ammonia_be_the_fuel_of_the_future

Dear Dr Saurav Sorcar

I value your essential insights into the debate. Yes, as you described, it is evident that an ammonia-powered SOFC lacks a stable anode catalyst. One major issue we should explore is ammonia conversion, which is weaker at lower temperatures, with a conversion efficiency of less than 17%. So, for effective conversion of ammonia into free hydrogen and nitrogen, SOFCs require a temperature of more than 700°C; in such a case, SOFCs necessitate a non-expensive Ni as fuel electrode and catalysts.

Dinesh Kumar Madheswaran SOFC has a solid, ceramic electrolyte in particular oxygen ions conducting SOFC which usually is Yttria-stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte. Zirconia becomes a conductor of oxygen ions at about 700°C, thus inherently making SOFC operation at high temperatures. Apparently, NH3 also decomposes at this temperature. So this brings the best of both worlds, where NH3 decomposes and can possibly replace H2 as fuel for HT-SOFC application to produce energy.

Dear Dinesh Kumar Madheswaran

Ammonia electrolysis consumes 95% less energy to produce a quantity of hydrogen than water electrolysis(theoretically). See the link: https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/40233#:~:text=This%20means%20that%20theoretically%2C%20ammonia,of%20hydrogen%20than%20water%20electrolysis.

Kindly see also the following useful link: https://www.statkraft.com/newsroom/news-and-stories/archive/2021/green-ammonia-climate-friendly-fuel-for-long-distances-and-heavy-tasks/

Also check please the following useful RG link: Article Hydrogen generation by electrolysis of liquid ammonia

The following RG link is also very useful: Article Electrolysis of Liquid Ammonia for Hydrogen Generation

Visit kindly the following very good RG link: Article Design of an ammonia electrolyzer for hydrogen production

Dear Professor Aref Wazwaz Thanks for your valuable insights. Those links are very useful.

You are most welcome dear

Prof. Dinesh Kumar Madheswaran

Wish you the best always.

Respected Prof Dr Denis Osinkin Your opinion is really appreciable. And yeah, as you stated, we're too far to talk about the ammonia for large volume hydrogen production. We must however realize the need for energy security and clean energy. I firmly believe that lead from experts like you will definitely make it! Also, I'd like t to thank you very much for providing such clear answers regarding the production, that really helps to grasp some techno-economic knowledge!

Respected Dr Yurii V Geletii Your presence in this discussion and your question and answer are truly a value addition!

Bezzi Hamza "we think all the time about one single reaction or one single system." Why do you write we? I don't belong to these "we." Your post is very controversial. Keep in mind that the thermodynamic of the whole reaction does not depend on pathways resulting in products.

Bezzi Hamza I'm sorry but It looks like you don't understand what you are writing about. Learn what is the standard Gibb's free energy and why you need overpotential.

"It is possible now to use iodine as and oxidizer to oxidize ammonia and gain few hundred of milli" Do you mean 3xI2 + 2xNH3 = 6xHI + N2? What is the standard delta G of this reaction?

The maximum of "extracting energy from any system" is the difference between free Gibb's energy of final and initial states. In order to achieve a high conversion you need to apply the "thermodynamic" overpotential.

"to reduce iodide oxidation reaction." You can't reduce a reaction.

Please don't use wording such as "you know." You never know what I know.

Read about "graphomania."

Producing H2 via Electrolysis is almost always a bad idea - at least at any reasonably large scale. Starting with Ammonia instead of water is the worst of the two.

Respected Dr Rick Manner, i owe my respect for your participation in the discussion. Your thoughts are technically right. It is obvious that cost, reliability, and efficiency are issues that lead people to accept that electrolysis is not a viable option for producing Hydrogen on a large scale. Consequently, Sir, research efforts all around globe are continuing to counteract these obstacles and keep improving the effectiveness of electrolysis.

I'd like to know if you have any other reasons why you believe electrolysis is not the best option.

H2 is made as a byproduct in many chemical processes including Naphtha reforming (to improve Octane) and petrochemical production (ethylene). Dedicated H2 production is usually via Steam-Methane Reforming, Auto-thermal Reforming of Methane (and/or other Hydrocarbons). All of these methods are significantly more efficient and environmentally friendlier than burning coal (the marginal fuel for increased power) to produce power for electrolysis.

Dear Rick Manner , you are right. Currently, H2 from methane is cheaper and there is no sense to replace natural gas by H2 as a fuel. However, when we are talking about converting sun light into fuel, we consider water electrolysis as one of the possible scenario.