Optimization of Hydrogen Production by Ammonia Electrolysis

The fundamental characteristics of hydrogen production by ammonia electrolysis are elucidated by an H type electrolyzer. As a result, the amount of hydrogen product increases with an increase of the ammonia concentration. It is clear that the electrical potential for ammonia electrolysis is lower than that of water electrolysis as more nitrogen is generated than oxygen while ammonia is present. Moreover, ammonia electrolysis and water electrolysis are promoted by adding alkaline solution. However, because the electrolysis voltage of ammonia is larger than theory electrolysis voltage, we optimize the ammonia electrolyzer by changing an interelectrode distance and a feed rate of ammonia solution. If the interelectrode distance is shorter and the electrolyte solution is circulated by pomp, the electrolysis voltage of ammonia has approached the theory electrolysis voltage. Therefore, this electrolysis method shows great promise as a hydrogen production mechanism if the operating conditions are further optimized.