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German government intends to invest 9 billion euros to develop fuel using ammonia and methanol

Written by Roberta Souza
Published 06/11/2020 às 15:40
Fuel, Germany
Ammonia-based fuel

Germany tests ammonia to obtain green fuel. Action is part of Europe's plan to reduce emissions to zero

The German government is studying the use of ammonia and methanol as a way to supply hydrogen to industry as a clean fuel. Government intends to invest 9 billion euros in development. This is part of Europe's biggest economic plan to cut its emissions to zero by 2050.

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The government funded a feasibility study to evaluate the means of transporting hydrogen and focused on the two chemical components as possible solutions.

Stefan Kaufmann, Member of the German Parliament responsible for coordinating the use of green hydrogen in Germany, says, “Safe and cost-effective transport options are crucial to establishing a global hydrogen economy. “We have the advantage of being able to leverage an existing global infrastructure that has been in use for decades.”

The government's plan is to invest 9 billion euros to develop hydrogen for use in green fuels such as steel and glass, which require temperatures above 1.000 degrees Celsius. Currently, polluting fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas fuel these processes.

Having hydrogen as an option comes with its own challenges. It is difficult to transport large numbers of the lightest components because their density is so low that they require bulky containers or condense for efficient transport.

Another option is ammonia – a compound formed from one nitrogen atom and three hydrogen atoms. Hydrogen can be converted into liquid ammonia and vice versa, and can be transported around the planet.

Ammonia with a content of 17,6% hydrogen by weight is the cheapest way to carry hydrogen on board. Currently, the compost is produced in factories powered by fossil fuels, being a key component of agricultural fertilizers.

Roberta Souza

Petroleum Engineer, postgraduate in Commissioning of Industrial Units, specialist in Industrial Corrosion. Get in touch to suggest an agenda, advertise job vacancies or advertise on our portal. We do not receive resumes

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