I'd just like to take this opportunity to plug ammonia as an alternative solution. High energy density. No nasty emissions. No need for new infrastructure. No need for new cars. We just need to ramp up ammonia production, which we need to do anyway to meet growing fertilizer requirements for a hungry growing population.
It would and does, which happens to be the situation at the moment and is one of the reasons why food is becoming more expensive.
I should have stated that I only support the ammonia economy provided the increase in ammonia production was powered by nuclear or other non carbon sources.
nope. hydrogen for ammonia comes from steam reforming natural gas and thus generates a lot of emmissions. the haber process is incredibly energy intensive (those pesky n2 triple bonds and all). all you've done, as in most 'fuel switch' schemes is create a 'displaced emmissions' system. this also goes for electricity by the way unless, and a big unless, you source emmission free electricity. personally, i like his idea.
Of course electricity production needs to come from zero carbon sources or else there'd be no point. I just think this system is the best because it involves doing the least.
Doesn't synthetic ammonia production currently rely on petroleum?
Also, the other major use for ammonia is as a major fertilizer for food products. Your ammonia idea will spike the food prices just like ethanol except that it will strike every food product instead of just corn.
Still, I am not an expert on this subject. Information from knowledgeable sources would be appreciated.
Comments
I'd just like to take this opportunity to plug ammonia as an alternative solution. High energy density. No nasty emissions. No need for new infrastructure. No need for new cars. We just need to ramp up ammonia production, which we need to do anyway to meet growing fertilizer requirements for a hungry growing population.
Any HNers with me?
If ammonia production is already insufficient for fertilizer requirements, wouldn't using it as fuel squeeze food production even more?
It would and does, which happens to be the situation at the moment and is one of the reasons why food is becoming more expensive.
I should have stated that I only support the ammonia economy provided the increase in ammonia production was powered by nuclear or other non carbon sources.
nope. hydrogen for ammonia comes from steam reforming natural gas and thus generates a lot of emmissions. the haber process is incredibly energy intensive (those pesky n2 triple bonds and all). all you've done, as in most 'fuel switch' schemes is create a 'displaced emmissions' system. this also goes for electricity by the way unless, and a big unless, you source emmission free electricity. personally, i like his idea.
Of course electricity production needs to come from zero carbon sources or else there'd be no point. I just think this system is the best because it involves doing the least.
Doesn't synthetic ammonia production currently rely on petroleum?
Also, the other major use for ammonia is as a major fertilizer for food products. Your ammonia idea will spike the food prices just like ethanol except that it will strike every food product instead of just corn.
Still, I am not an expert on this subject. Information from knowledgeable sources would be appreciated.