Wageningen University & Research and more than 40 partners have secured €20.3 million to develop a more sustainable way of producing nitrogen-containing chemicals for products such as fertilisers and medicines. The NWO-funded HyNITROGEN project will start in October.
The University of Twente coordinates the project and collaborates with Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and more than forty other universities, companies, and knowledge institutes.
Nitrogen-containing chemicals are found in many products we use every day, from fertilisers and household cleaners to sportswear and paracetamol. This is because nitrogen-containing compounds such as ammonia serve as essential chemical building blocks for a wide range of applications. At present, however, these chemicals are produced largely using natural gas, resulting in substantial CO₂ emissions. Switching to a more sustainable production method could significantly reduce those emissions while also decreasing reliance on fossil fuels.
Improving a century-old production process
For over a century, ammonia has been produced using the Haber-Bosch process, in which nitrogen from the air reacts with hydrogen derived from natural gas under high temperatures and pressures. Although highly efficient, the process is energy-intensive and heavily dependent on fossil resources. With this new project, researchers aim to redesign this reaction. They are developing catalysts that can facilitate the same conversion under milder conditions, reducing the energy required. The consortium will also investigate whether renewable electricity can replace the heat currently needed in the process. In addition, researchers are exploring ways to recover nitrogen from wastewater streams so that it can be reused as a raw material.
"What makes this project so exciting is the diversity of the partners involved. It allows us to exchange ideas and learn from one another."
- Harry Bitter
- Professor Biobased Chemistry & Technology
Professor Harry Bitter of Biobased Chemistry & Technology at WUR, is one of the project's technical managers. Together with his research group, he focusses on the development of novel catalysts. Whilst industry currently uses mainly iron as catalyst for the Haber-Bosch reaction, Bitter is looking at materials in which metal atoms are bound to carbon. These may enable the reaction to proceed at lower temperatures and pressures. "But the stability of a catalyst is at least as important as its activity," says Bitter. "A catalyst not only has to perform well; it also needs to keep performing over a long period of time." The more stable a catalyst is, the longer it can remain in use and the less often it needs to be replaced. Whether the catalysts he has in mind can deliver both high performance and long-term stability remains to be seen in the coming years.
Broad expertise within the consortium
According to Bitter, one of HyNITROGEN's greatest strengths is the breadth of the consortium. "What makes this project so exciting is the diversity of the partners involved. We work with scientists conducting highly fundamental research as well as researchers who focus on practical applications. The consortium brings together expertise in thermochemistry, electrochemistry and plasma chemistry. I not only enjoy the plethora and diversity of expertise and people, I believe it is essential for success. It allows us to exchange ideas and learn from one another. Without it, you end up thinking in only one direction and will never find solutions to complex problems."
Consortium
- Main applicant: Prof. Jimmy Faria Albanese - University of Twente
- Technical managers: Prof. Harry Bitter - Wageningen University & Research, Prof. Fokko Mulder - Delft University of Technology
- Consortium partners: Avans University of Applied Sciences, Bosal Netherlands, Casale SA, CATALYZER, CatOlyst B.V., CIRCONICA, DIFFER, Division Q, Ebert Hera, ETB Global, Fluidwell, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen, Hauzer Techno Coating B.V., Hyet NoCarbon, IHI Europe Ltd., Johnson Matthey, MEVALDI B.V., N2 Applied, Nijhuis Water Technology B.V., Nobian Industrial Chemicals B.V., Nouryon, ON2Quest, Port of Rotterdam, Radboud University Nijmegen, University of Groningen, Settels Savenije group of companies (STTLS), TNO, TOLSA NETHERLANDS B.V., TOLSA S.A. / Spain, Topsoe R&D, Business Centre Treeport, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Umicore AG & Co KG., University of Amsterdam, Leiden University, Maastricht University, University of Twente, Utrecht University, VITALFLUID, Wageningen University & Research.
