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Siemens is developing a new type of ammonia cracking unit. Author/Source: Energy & Chemical Dynamics. Date: 2022-11-28. Views: 192. A consortium led by Siemens Energy has launched research and development work on a prototype of such an ammonia cracking unit in Newcastle, UK, with an investment of 3.5 million pounds. The aim is to produce green hydrogen on an industrial scale in order to help combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions. Whenever and wherever there is a need, the ammonia splitting system offers the potential for large-scale production of green hydrogen. The system will use FFI’s Metal Membrane Technology (MMT) purification process to produce high-purity hydrogen suitable for use in PEM fuel cells. The MMT process, developed by FFI and Australia’s **scientific institution—the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO)**, is key to producing high-purity hydrogen via the ammonia cracking process. It selectively filters hydrogen while blocking other gases, allowing hydrogen to be used as fuel and enabling conversion as needed when refueling. Steve Scrimshaw, member of the UK Hydrogen Advisory Committee and vice president of energy at Siemens UK & Ireland, said, “We only have 13 years to provide the UK with a net-zero electricity grid.” ” “There isn’t much time left; we can’t do this by ourselves. This innovative green ammonia splitter could be a game-changer for expanding the green hydrogen industry, representing an important step in advancing energy transition. ” Ammonia has a high hydrogen density, making it easy to transport in bulk. It can store large amounts of hydrogen in liquid form, building on the existing global supply chain infrastructure. Traditional ammonia production processes use “gray” or “black” hydrogen extracted from natural gas or coal. Haber-Bosch uses renewable energy to produce \"green\" ammonia from green hydrogen, with no carbon dioxide emissions generated in this process. If successful, pyrolyzers and MMT will enable the recovery of green hydrogen, which can then be delivered in the form of high-purity hydrogen at the point of use, with a focus on mobility and off-grid power applications. Then, this technology can be extended to future markets, including industry, heating, and power generation on a grid scale. Siemens Energy has extensive experience in ammonia innovation. The team previously led a collaborative project at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire. This £1.5 million concept verification facility demonstrates an ammonia-based energy storage system that can convert electricity, water, and air into ammonia without releasing carbon emissions. Ammonia is stored before being used for power generation. Ammonia cracking was not included in the original RAL demonstration unit; therefore, the ammonia cracking prototype filled a technical gap in the supply chain. The UK **estimates that by 2050, hydrogen will account for one-third of the UK’s energy mix, but to achieve this goal, challenges related to hydrogen storage and transportation still need to be addressed. This £3.5 million ammonia cracking machine prototype is designed to help address these challenges. This partnership is a true collaboration between Siemens Energy, Siemens Energy Venture Capital, FFI, GeoPura, and Innovate UK. Siemens Energy and FFI provide engineering expertise and innovative technical solutions. GeoPura will provide on-site management and, as the operator, will extract hydrogen products from the prototype ammonia cracking system for use in their new fuel cell power generation technology. The GeoPura project plans to use this hydrogen to power hydrogen-powered units (HPUs). HPU is used as a substitute for heavily polluting diesel generators, serving as an \"off-grid\" solution that provides zero-emission power to a variety of industries, including television production (such as Netflix and the BBC’s Winterwatch) and construction projects (including HS2). It is reported that the prototype will produce 200 kilograms of hydrogen per day using ammonia – enough to power around 5-10 hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses. Hydrogen power units (HPUs) are very easy to move; image courtesy of GeoPura. Mark Hutchinson, CEO of Fortescue Future Industries, added: “The development of such technologies is key to the success of green hydrogen on a global scale.” ” “There is a huge demand for green hydrogen, especially in Europe, and transportation is key to ensuring its supply. We know that green hydrogen can be transported over long distances via green ammonia; if successful, the combination of ammonia splitting and MMT means that it can be converted on demand at the point of use. ” “As part of the partnership, the ongoing work will help make green ammonia a hydrogen carrier and fuel for global trade, not only for the future but also for today. ”