“To Expand Hydrogen Vehicle Adoption, Ammonia Must Be Utilized”

Korea Automotive Research Institute 'Industry Analysis Vol.120'
"Advantages in Storage and Transportation... However, Risk Research Needed"

There has been an opinion that ammonia should be utilized to expand the supply of hydrogen vehicles. This is because ammonia, a compound commonly used in the industry, helps in storing and transporting hydrogen. However, overcoming safety concerns and conducting further commercialization research remain challenges.

Yang Jaewan and Lee Hojung, senior researchers at the Industrial Policy Research Institute of the Korea Automotive Technology Institute, stated this on the 18th in 'Industry Analysis Vol. 120'. Hydrogen is a clean energy source with a high mass energy density, and attempts to apply it to various mobility sectors such as automobiles, trains, ships, and aircraft are increasing. However, challenges remain in establishing infrastructure for storage, transportation, and refueling in addition to hydrogen production. A representative issue is the insufficient number of hydrogen refueling stations.

Ammonia-based hydrogen fuel cell truck demonstration vehicle
[Photo by Amogy]

The researchers believe that ammonia could be the 'key' to building hydrogen infrastructure. First, through high-temperature thermal decomposition, ammonia can be converted into hydrogen without harmful byproducts. Additionally, it has a high volumetric energy density (the amount of energy stored per unit volume), making storage and transportation easier. Another advantage is that production and transportation infrastructure is already established.

The researchers analyzed that the eco-friendliness of commercial vehicles with long refueling times or ships and aircraft where heavy battery installation is difficult could be accelerated. They added, "If liquid ammonia is loaded onto commercial vehicles and operated through fuel cells, refueling time can be shortened, and the decrease in energy efficiency caused by increased battery weight can be minimized."

[Photo by Korea Institute of Energy Research]

Some companies are developing vehicles utilizing ammonia. The U.S. startup Amogy has packaged ammonia thermal decomposition devices and hydrogen fuel cells and applied them to unmanned aerial vehicles, tractors, and trucks. They plan to apply this technology to ships in the fourth quarter of this year.

However, since high-concentration ammonia can be harmful to the human body and is highly flammable, requiring safety measures, research on this is necessary. The researchers also emphasized that commercialization research on ammonia-based hydrogen fuel cells must accompany these efforts.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.