Energy one step ahead
Ammonia
Ammonia does not emit CO2 when burned, so it is attracting attention as a potential energy alternative to coal and heavy oil. Idemitsu has long handled ammonia in the oil refining process. Utilizing this knowledge, we aim to set up an ammonia import base at Tokuyama Complex (Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture) using existing infrastructure and supply ammonia to industrial complexes. In addition to participating in a clean ammonia production project in Lake Charles, USA, and considering importing it there. In Australia, we will leverage the business foundations we have cultivated in the coal business to participate in studies and surveys related to ammonia production and export, and plan procurement. We are steadily accumulating knowledge regarding supply chains. We are also working on the development of technology that does not reduce thermal efficiency even when ammonia is co-combusted with petroleum or heavy oil, and research and development that will significantly reduce CO2 emissions during ammonia production. The Haber-Bosch process, which is currently widely used to produce ammonia, requires a
large amount of energy to generate ammonia by reacting hydrogen and nitrogen under high
temperature and high pressure, resulting in high CO2 emissions and high costs. To resolve this issue, we aim to achieve a carbon-free ammonia manufacturing process. In collaboration with the University of Tokyo, we are working to establish a technology to manufacture ammonia under mild reaction conditions at ambient temperature and pressure, and to mass-produce it.
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