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Achieving the \"dual carbon\" goals through key technologies in hydrogen-ammonia energy / Author/Source: Coal Chemical Industry Information Network / Date: 2022-06-26 / Clicks: 28. At present, developing clean energy and reducing carbon emissions has become a consensus among the international community. “China will increase its **national commitments, adopt more effective policies and measures, strive to reach a peak in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, and aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060”. On the path to developing clean energy, hydrogen is regarded as a clean fuel. However, compared to ammonia, hydrogen requires more energy for storage and transportation, resulting in higher costs and associated risks. Some **call ammonia “another form of hydrogen” and propose the concept of an “ammonia economy”. The World Economic Forum believes that ammonia is the terminator of fossil fuels and a key to solving climate problems. Wall Street Energy Capital describes hydrogen as a “super fuel,” while using the term “disruption” to indicate that ammonia will replace existing fossil fuels on a large scale. Due to its large usage volume and wide range of applications, ammonia has developed a comprehensive system in terms of production, storage, transportation, and supply, thus providing a solid foundation for its widespread adoption. “The concept of an “ammonia economy” as a carbon-free clean energy source holds great significance for China. With the support of goals related to carbon reduction, as well as policies such as the \"Guidelines for Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction Transformations in Key Sectors of High-Energy-Consuming Industries (2022 Edition)\” and the \"Implementation Plan for the Development of New Energy Storage during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period,\" China enjoys policy advantages for the development of ammonia-based energy sources. “‘The 14th Five-Year Plan identifies hydrogen (ammonia) energy storage as one of the key approaches, and China accounts for 44% of the world’s ammonia production and possesses a highly developed system for its transportation and distribution. If China chooses to pursue ammonia-based energy, it will surely be the most successful in doing so worldwide. ”Wang Zhaolin, an expert on ammonia fuel from the School of Energy at Xiamen University, said. In fact, under the guidance of Wang Zhaolin, the ammonia-powered internal combustion engines developed by Shandong Sainoket Hydrogen-Ammonia New Energy Co., Ltd., located in Weifang Binhai Economic Development Zone, have been applied in vehicles such as heavy trucks, tractors, forklifts, and cars. “We were the first in the country to develop and apply key technologies for hydrogen-ammonia energy, facilitating the transition from old to new driving forces in the internal combustion engine industry and promoting its low-carbon development. This has injected new vitality into the internal combustion engine sector, contributing to the achievement of the ‘dual carbon’ goals. ”Cai Tao, the person in charge of Shandong Sainoket Hydrogen-Ammonia New Energy Co., Ltd., said. It is understood that Shandong Sainoket Hydrogen-Ammonia New Energy Co., Ltd. focuses on the research and development of catalysts for ammonia fuel; it has already developed catalysts for the transient cracking of ammonia, catalysts specific for ammonia internal combustion engines, and catalysts for hydrogen purification. The series of catalysts for ammonia fuel serve as the “hub” of ammonia-powered systems. Taking new energy vehicles as an example, scientists are trying to use ammonia as a hydrogen carrier to power such vehicles safely. During this process, ammonia is stored in liquid form inside tanks. When the electric vehicle is in operation, the liquid ammonia is depressurized to turn into ammonia gas, which is then sent to a \"decomposition furnace.\" A special catalyst for ammonia fuel is installed in this furnace, and it can convert 99.9% of the ammonia into nitrogen and hydrogen. The remaining 0.1% of ammonia is purified by a gas filtration system, preventing any contamination of the surrounding environment. If this application can be promoted, it will be another milestone in the field of new energy vehicles. On May 22, the world’s first ammonia-powered, zero-emission tractor was put into operation in the United States. Ammonia serves as a bridge to a carbon-free society through hydrogen energy; using ammonia as a carrier for hydrogen can achieve carbon neutrality. It is reported that some entities are, building on existing military ammonia fuel technologies, promoting ammonia as a renewable and energy-storing clean fuel for use in areas such as civilian power generation, automobiles, and ships. Therefore, it is necessary to seize the opportunities of the ammonia economy to achieve sustainable development. From a long-term, macro perspective, developing the ammonia economy and promoting the use of ammonia as a fuel will create opportunities for growth in various industries such as chemicals, machinery, automobiles, and transportation. Economically, the price per unit of energy for liquid ammonia is already lower than or equal to that of gasoline in most countries and regions around the world. Using ammonia as a fuel can prevent price shocks caused by imbalances in the supply and demand of a particular energy source, while maintaining its economic viability as reliance on physical energy increases over time.