Power-to-X is an umbrella term for various processes that convert electricity into heat, synthetic fuels or hydrogen – the latter can be converted into ammonia by adding nitrogen and used as fertilizer or fuel.

Mintal said the ammonia will replace roughly 850,000 t/y of coal and reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 2 million t/y. According to the company, Inner Mongolia is rich in wind energy resources, which could potentially be developed to reach a total output of 150 GW, equal to 40% of the available wind energy in China.

“Establishing a commercial-size green ammonia plant in Baotou really is a breakthrough in China for producing carbon-neutral fuels and chemicals. Naturally, we are very pleased that we are now able to start construction of this landmark project, that will support China’s move to a greener economy,” said Mintal Hydrogen’s general manager XiaoLong Fu.

Under the contract, the Danish technology group will provide process licensing, an engineering design package, proprietary equipment and catalysts. Topsoe said its dynamic ammonia technology is able to adapt to the inherent fluctuations in power output from wind turbines, adding that the clean power from the turbines will be connected directly to the electrolysis unit, making it more cost effective than storing hydrogen.

Last December, Topsoe announced that its SynCor autothermal reforming technology had been selected by Ascension Clean Energy for a world-scale low-carbon ammonia plant in the US. The $7.5 billion project is expected to produce 7.2 million t/y of low carbon ammonia in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. A final investment decision is expected in 2024.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist