4 ms·
Can we not run the normal Haber-Bosch process on renewable energy or is it somehow tied to coal/natural gas as this article seems to insinuate?
by vondur 5y ago
Can we not run the normal Haber-Bosch process on renewable energy or is it somehow tied to coal/natural gas as this article seems to insinuate?
- __turbobrew__ 5y agoIt appears that fossil fuels are used as a hydrogen source for the reaction. I wonder if you could split water and use that as a hydrogen source? It is probably a much less efficient process to source hydrogen.
- ncmncm 5y agoYou can, and it is done. Just not much yet.
- ncmncm 5y agoYou can, but then you have to transport the product to the farm to use it. And, of course, practically all the Haber-Bosch equipment is not on renewables, and will not be for a long time. It is better for now to displace it until carbon taxes can be used to force conversion. Solar power gathering above cropland also increases yield by reducing water and heat stress. So even after they convert, you will still be better off with this.