UK-Based Hydrogen Fuel Cell Developer AFC Energy has Launched its New Ammonia Cracker Technology Platform

AFC Energy, a hydrogen fuel cell developer based in the United Kingdom, has introduced its new ammonia cracker technology platform, a hydrogen generation solution that eyes at maximising the value of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier fuel across Europe and Asia.

AFC has expedited the development of its cracking technology in response to an increase in ammonia imports contracted into Europe, with the intention of using modular technology to help boost cracker capacity to match the rise in imports.

According to the business, its new platform will assist solve problems linked to hydrogen generation and transportation, as well as pave the way for broader use of green hydrogen in difficult-to-abate industries trying to decarbonise.

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Ammonia cracking is the process of dissolving the gas over a catalyst to produce nitrogen and hydrogen, a market that AIM-listed AFC predicts would be worth USD 150 billion by 2030, rising to USD 1.5 trillion by 2050.

The company is actively assessing interest from companies and industries eager to capitalise on upcoming hydrogen potential. AFC has built the cracker to be easily scalable from small-scale hydrogen production to multi-million tonnes per year, with the initial focus on the maritime industry.

With AFC Energy's innovative ammonia cracking technology platform, we enter the hydrogen generating sector, enabling increased energy security and reliability, as per Adam Bond, CEO of AFC.

Clean ammonia has been confirmed as a preferred method of transporting hydrogen to end users, particularly in Europe and Asia, and now AFC is targeting these key markets to enable a faster, more widespread adoption of hydrogen in areas where storage and transportation challenges may otherwise present short-term challenges.

According to IRENA data, by 2050, the market for ammonia as a fuel for maritime transport and stationary electricity will be larger than all present ammonia markets combined.

Ammonia consumption is expected to exceed 200 million tonnes by 2030 under a 1.5C scenario, as it is the preferred carrier fuel for customers of hydrogen fuel worldwide.Air Liquide, the industrial petrol giant, revealed today intentions to build an industrial-scale ammonia cracking plant in Belgium's Port of Antwerp.

The project, which is set to open in 2024, will use Air Liquide's proprietary technology to convert ammonia back into hydrogen as part of a plan to accelerate the development of hydrogen as a key enabler of the energy revolution.

Ammonia Cracking

Ammonia cracking is a chemical process that converts ammonia into its basic atoms such as hydrogen and nitrogen. Typically, the process is carried out by passing ammonia gas over a catalyst at high temperatures (generally in the 800-1100 °C range) in the presence of steam.

It is a critical industrial process because it produces enormous amounts of hydrogen gas, which is used in a range of applications such as fuel cells, chemical synthesis, and metal refining. The nitrogen generated during the process is frequently used in the manufacture of fertilisers and other compounds.

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It can also be utilised to generate reducing gases for industrial applications. The hydrogen generated during the process can be used to reduce metal oxides to produce pure metals like iron and nickel.

AFC Energy PLC is a manufacturer of alkaline fuel cells that use hydrogen to generate energy. Cranleigh, Surrey, United Kingdom is the company's headquarters. It is a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange.

Eneco's intellectual property rights and assets were acquired by the business in 2006, resulting in its formation. It installed a hydrogen fuel cell called Alpha System at Linc Energy's Chinchilla underground coal gasification project in 2010. By combining these technologies, hydrogen produced by the underground coal gasification process can be used as a feedstock for the fuel cell.
 
As per Procurement Resource, AFC Energy, a UK-based hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer, has launched its new ammonia cracker technology platform, a hydrogen generating solution aimed at increasing the value of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier fuel across Europe and Asia.

In response to an increase in ammonia imports contracted into Europe, AFC has accelerated the development of its cracking technology, with the objective of employing modular technology to help enhance cracker capacity to match the increase in imports.

According to the company, its new platform will help solve difficulties related to hydrogen generation and transportation, as well as open the way for more widespread usage of green hydrogen in difficult-to-abate businesses attempting to decarbonise.