ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY CONFERENCE

ON

AMMONIA – THE KEY TO A HYDROGEN ECONOMY
 

 October 13-14, 2005, Argonne, Illinois.     A breakthrough Conference was held on the future role of anhydrous ammonia (NH3) as a fuel for transportation.    The Conference was sponsored by the Iowa Energy Center and hosted by Argonne National Laboratory, near Chicago.    Apollo’s Dr. Karl Kordesch gave a Power-Point Presentation to the delegates on Apollo’s work on Alkaline Fuel Cells and Ammonia Crackers, soon to be in production.

75% of ammonia (“NH3”) is hydrogen.    The NH3 molecule can be broken down into hydrogen and nitrogen gases by an Ammonia Cracker which has been developed and patented by Apollo Energy Systems.    These two gases can then be fed directly into a Fuel Cell, or into an Internal-Combustion Engine (“ICE”).   Several auto companies are planning to introduce “Hydrogen Vehicles” powered by ICEs which would be fueled by hydrogen.   This would be an intermediate step between today’s Hybrid Vehicles (ICE + Battery), and tomorrow’s Fuel Cell Vehicles (Fuel Cell + Battery).

Apollo is developing a 26-gallon Ammonia Fuel Tank to go with the Ammonia Cracker, to be installed in a Sport Utility Vehicle or small bus.    Liquid ammonia would be dispensed into the Ammonia Fuel Tank just like gasoline is dispensed into a gasoline fuel tank in a car.    The ammonia in the tank would be fed to Ammonia Cracker connected to the tank.  The Cracker would then deliver hydrogen (and nitrogen) to the Fuel Cell, or to the ICE.

About 75% of our ammonia is made from natural gas and 25% from coal.   Fifty percent of our ammonia is imported from Trinidad and Russia.   Since the prices for natural gas have been increasing, there is a movement away from natural gas to coal.   In the future, we will see more and more ammonia made from coal.   The USA has over 100-years supply of coal and prices are stable.

 

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