Rahat Javaid

Title : Green ammonia synthesis using renewable energy-derived hydrogen

Abstract:

Ammonia is a potential hydrogen and energy carrier. It has a high capacity for hydrogen. As an energy carrier, ammonia is considered as energy-dense and zero-carbon green fuel. Industrially, ammonia is synthesized by the Haber-Bosch process using iron-based catalyst. The significant drawbacks of this process include the requirement of high temperature (425-600 ) and pressure (20-30 MPa) conditions as well emission of green-house gases. Green ammonia can be synthesized with hydrogen produced from electrolysis of water using renewable energy. To utilize renewable derived hydrogen, it is required to develop efficient and stable catalysts capable of operation under fluctuated supply of hydrogen and mild reaction conditions. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the efficiency of a catalyst at various reaction conditions and stability for long term processing. Ru catalysts are known for their higher activity at mild reaction conditions. In this study, CeO2 supported Ru catalyst was synthesized by impregnation method. The activity of Ru/CeO2 catalyst for ammonia synthesis was determined using hydrogen and nitrogen as reactants. An effect of reaction conditions was studied. Below 400°C, higher rate for ammonia synthesis was obtained by a decrease in H2/N2 ratio. This detailed study is necessary for establishing ammonia as a hydrogen/ energy carrier.

Audience Take Away:
• This study will open a new horizon for practical application of ammonia as a hydrogen or energy carrier.
• It will help in assessment of optimized reaction conditions to attain higher catalytic activity for ammonia synthesis.

Biography:

Dr. Rahat Javaid studied Applied Chemistry at the University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore, Pakistan and graduated as MSc in 2003. She was awarded with Gold Medal for getting first class first position in MSc. She continued her studies and earned MPhil degree at the same institute. She was selected for Monbukagakusho MEXT Scholarship Japan and received her PhD degree in 2010 at Tohoku University, Japan. After postdoctoral research experience at Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, she obtained the position of Research Scientist at the Fukushima Renewable Energy Institute, AIST. She has participated in many national/International conferences and published research articles in peer reviewed journals.