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Summary: Since the triple bond in a nitrogen molecule is considered to be one of the strongest bond to break, the ammonia synthesis under atmospheric pressure and mild temperature becomes a remarkably challenging problem. In the present research study, a novel method is introduced for electrochemical ammonia synthesis through integrating the reactor with the electromagnetic zero‐voltage switching (ZVS) device. The reactor is tested under an induced electromagnetic (EM) field in galvanostatic mode by varying the operating parameters that include temperature, flow rate, and current density. The experimental setup is designed and operated toward performing the electrochemical synthesis. The maximum Faradaic efficiency achieved with EM field is 4.5%, and the ammonia formation rate is found to be 1.21 × 10−10 mol cm−2s−1 at an applied constant current of 6.4 mA cm−2 and EM field of 49 mT. Furthermore, the experiments are extended to include the ammonia synthesis with and without EM field influence on the reaction; in which case, the reduction potential becomes 1.25 V with the presence of EM field, while it is 1.7 V without EM field when the applied current of 6.4 mA cm−2 is incorporated. This study demonstrates that the electrochemical ammonia synthesis, via nitrogen reduction, can be achieved spontaneously, which is beyond the classical approach for electrochemical ammonia synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An economic case study is performed to balance Ontario's energy requirements. • The system performance is evaluated through thermodynamic analysis. • The present plant is designed to have carbon capture capabilities with no emissions. A new community based polygeneration smart energy system is proposed to meet the demands of a community in a sustainable manner and applied to case study where we aim to balance Ontario's energy requirements while minimizing carbon emissions. In this case study, the smart energy hub utilizes a 30 MW small modular nuclear reactor which provides a unique and novel gas system at high temperature level integrated for the production and transportation of chemical energy; this occurs through a circuit in which an endothermic reaction (steam methane reforming plant) is connected to an exothermic reaction (methanation plant) and appears to be an attractive and preferable solution that meets the environmental requirements for a stable and efficient energy supply process. Complex multiscale subsystems are developed, modeled and simulated in the Aspen plus. Thermodynamic analyses on different sub-plants are presented, considering natural gas as the main feedstock, and incorporating power and heat production through chemical looping. The energy hub is capable of generating 10.8 MW of electricity and supplying 17.9 MW of heat for district heating. Hence, the overall energy and exergy efficiencies of the smart energy system are found to be 54% and 76% respectively. Also, a power to gas plant is integrated into the energy hub for the production of anhydrous ammonia with a capacity of 1816.22 tons/day and 100% carbon capture capabilities. Moreover, the impact of varying the input proportions of the system on the products and functionality of the energy hub are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we propose a new method to dissociate water vapor into hydrogen gas by microwave generated plasma. In one stage, steam flows by direct discharge into a custom developed reactor inside the 900 W microwave. The high energetic electrons produced by electric field acceleration of 2.45 GHz microwave collide with water vapor molecules, these molecules are ionized and dissociated into hydrogen and oxygen radicals. The concentration of hydrogen gas is found between 2500 and 8000 PPM. Also, the energy and exergy efficiencies fall below 10% to one another, where the energy efficiency ranges between 11.6% and 53.7% throughout the experiments. From these results, this study demonstrates a unique method of hydrogen production via water plasmolysis and investigates the energy and exergy efficiencies for applications involving the collection of hydrogen gas as an alternative fuel source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]