TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Direct Conversion of Air to Ammonia and Nitric Acid using Advanced Manufactured Electrochemical Reactors

2Opportunity:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to further develop and commercialize its Direct Conversion of Air to Ammonia and Nitric Acid using Advanced Manufactured Electrochemical Reactors.

Background:

Today, roughly half of the world’s population relies on crops grown with the aid of synthetic fertilizers composed primarily of nitrates and ammonia. As such, global production of ammonia alone exceeds 150 million tons annually. 

Most industrial ammonia is produced through the Haber–Bosch process, a century-old approach using thermochemical reactions to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia through reaction with hydrogen and a metal catalyst at high temperature and pressure. Consequently, the method is resource intensive. To meet current global demand, roughly 2 percent of the world’s energy output and 5 percent of its natural gas resources are devoted to producing ammonia this way. In addition, the Haber–Bosch process can introduce toxic compounds into natural environments, requiring costly remediation efforts. A cleaner, more efficient method is needed.

Description:

LLNL researchers have developed an ammonia production method that circumvents the Haber–Bosch process altogether. The team’s research efforts represent Livermore’s growing expertise in electrocatalytic reactor systems. The final conversion of nitrate to ammonia—reduction—is well established in scientific literature, so LLNL concentrated their research efforts on the more challenging first phase (oxidation of nitrogen into nitrate), using an additively manufactured optimized anode design.

Advantages/Benefits: 

• Avoids costly separation processes used in current industry approaches.
• Eliminates need for energy intensive operations at elevated temperatures and pressures.
• Optimized anode design can be fabricated by DIW 3D printing
• Convert direct from air without hydrogen evolution reaction, use of toxic materials, and generation of unwanted products

Potential Applications: 

• Agriculture - synthetic fertilizer ingredients
• Refrigeration and other industrial needs

Development Status: 

Current stage of technology development: TRL ☐ 0-2     ☒ 3-5     ☐ 5-9

LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2024/0301569 Direct Conversion of Air to Ammonia and Nitric Acid via Advanced Manufactured Electrochemical Reactors published 9/12/2024

LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. 

Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.

Note:  THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT.  Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's Direct Conversion of Air to Ammonia and Nitric Acid using Advanced Manufactured Electrochemical Reactors should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following:

1. Company Name and address.
2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact.
3. A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology.

Please provide a complete electronic OR written statement to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's Direct Conversion of Air to Ammonia and Nitric Acid using Advanced Manufactured Electrochemical Reactors.

The subject heading in an email response should include the Notice ID and/or the title of LLNL’s Technology/Business Opportunity and directed to the Primary and Secondary Point of Contacts listed below.

Written responses should be directed to:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Innovation and Partnerships Office

P.O. Box 808, L-779

Livermore, CA  94551-0808

Attention: IL-13693