Ammonia Synthesis via Non-Equilibrium Reaction of Lithium Nitride in Hydrogen Flow Condition

Lithium nitride can be formed in the reaction of lithium metal with nitrogen gas under moderate condition and has attracted attention as a hydrogen storage system; Li3N+2H(2) -> 2LiH+LiNH2. Li3N is hydrogenated below 300 degrees C under 0.5MPa of H-2, and then LiNH2 is formed as product. Furthermore, the reaction between MNH2 and H-2; MNH2 + H-2 -> MH + NH3, can proceed below 250 degrees C under 0.5 MPa H-2 flow condition to form MH and NH3. In this study, we proposed and investigated synthesis method of ammonia run under more moderate conditions than those of current Haber-Bosch process by using combination of above two reactions. As the result, it was experimentally clarified that the ammonia synthesis can be operated in realistic reaction rate below 300 degrees C by producing non-equilibrium reaction field under 1.0 MPa H-2 flow condition.