Jupiter Ionics – capital cost reduction in electrochemical ammonia synthesis

April 19th, 2024

R&D Focus Areas:
Ammonia, Advanced manufacturing

Lead Organisation:
Jupiter Ionics

Partners:
Monash University

Status:
Active

Start date:
March 2024

Completion date:
September 2028

Key contacts:
Charles Day – admin@jupiterionics.com

Funding:
AUD$2.55 million – Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

Project total cost:
AUD$6.47 million

Project summary description (as published by ARENA):
The award recipient intends to commercialise a new pathway to the commercial synthesis of renewable ammonia electrochemically using the Macfarlane Simonov Ammonia Cell (MSA Cell) (the Project). The Project, supported by Monash University, will accelerate the development of the electrochemical synthesis technology, focusing on improving its cost competitiveness, and in so doing support the scale up of the MSA Cell. The research activities will decrease the cost of ammonia production by exploring improvements to the in-cell membrane, the ammonia separation process, and the overall cell geometry. The target is to achieve improved performance as measured by capital cost per kW of capacity.

The objectives for the Project will be achieved through the following Outcomes:

  • Accelerated commercialisation of renewable hydrogen through innovative R&D in hydrogen production technologies;
  • Increased academic research capacity in the Australian hydrogen sector, and the facilitation of collaboration between research groups and industry;
  • Improvement in the technology readiness and commercial readiness of hydrogen production technologies;
  • Further developed capabilities in electrochemical nitrogen conversion, an alternative method for green ammonia production which can be used as a hydrogen carrier; and
  • Reduced cost of green ammonia production through developments in membrane technology, ammonia separation processes, and cell geometry (a targeted 20-40% reduction in overall capital cost).

Related publications and key links:
https://arena.gov.au/projects/jupiter-ionics-capital-cost-reduction-in-electrochemical-ammonia-synthesis/

Higher degree studies supported:
Two PhD students will be supported by this project.

 

April 2024