Abstract:

With the rapid development of renewable energy technologies, ammonia synthesis with hydrogen produced via water electrolysis have received increasing attention. Since 1920s, this process has evolved from hydroelectric powered to the current wind/solar powered in over a century. This article comprehensively reviewed the history of ammonia industry, introduced the technological evolution and characteristics of diverse ammonia synthesis routes, e.g. via fossil energy, wind/solar power and grid electricity produced hydrogen. In addition, the current technical situation of ammonia synthesis with hydrogen produced via water electrolysis in China was deeply analyzed, and the future industrial scale of this route was also predicted. It was expected that the output value of the domestic synthetic ammonia industry would reach 317.3 billion CNY by 2030 and 790 billion CNY by 2050. Thoughts on the development of the domestic synthetic ammonia industry were proposed and two viable paths were outlined. Firstly, in regions with abundant and cheap renewable electricity, ammonia can serve as an effective means of power storage and consumption; Secondly, the green transformation of existing ammonia synthesis plants can be achieved by partially substituting fossil feedstocks with green hydrogen, thereby gradually unleashing and expanding the production capacity and environmental benefits of ammonia synthesis.

Key words: hydrogen production by water electrolysis, renewable energy, synthetic ammonia

摘要：

随着可再生能源技术的飞速发展，电解制氢合成氨的工艺路径受到越来越多的关注。自1920年代发展至今，电解制氢合成氨已经有100多年的历史，历经了水力发电合成氨到当前风光发电驱动下的合成氨。本文旨在全面回顾合成氨工业的发展历程，深入剖析化石能源合成氨、风光发电制氢合成氨和网电制氢合成氨的技术发展和特点。在此基础上，细致分析了国内电解制氢合成氨的当前态势，预测了我国未来合成氨的产业规模，预计2030年国内合成氨行业产值达到3173亿元，预计2050年达到7900亿元。针对合成氨行业的发展路径，本文提出了深刻的思考与策略建议，指出两条可行的发展路线：其一，在可再生能源资源丰富且电价相对低廉的地区，氨可作为有效的电力储存与消纳手段，促进能源体系的灵活性与可持续性；其二，对现有合成氨装置实施绿色转型，通过部分采用绿氢替代化石原料，逐步释放并扩大合成氨的产能与环保效益。

关键词: 电解制氢, 可再生能源, 合成氨