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Nitrogen‐Based Alternative Fuels: Progress and Future Prospects
Author(s) -
Grinberg Dana Alon,
Shter Gennady E.,
Grader Gideon S.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
energy technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.91
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 2194-4296
pISSN - 2194-4288
DOI - 10.1002/ente.201500232
Subject(s) - combustion , fossil fuel , carbon fibers , nitrogen , environmental science , waste management , catalysis , aqueous solution , chemistry , yield (engineering) , corrosion , chemical engineering , materials science , engineering , organic chemistry , metallurgy , composite number , composite material
We describe and review recent research of a low‐carbon nitrogen‐based alternative fuel consisting of an aqueous solution of urea and ammonium nitrate (UAN). This fuel possesses a volumetric energy density of 4.44 MJ L −1 . Conceptually, it is intriguing to think of ample atmospheric nitrogen as a future storage hub for sustainable and economic hydrogen derived from water rather than fossil fuels. First, we discuss and compare the nitrogen‐ and carbon‐based routes for chemical hydrogen storage. Second, we review recent research developments of this fuel: continuous combustion with lower NO x emissions than US regulation, computerized combustion simulations, ambient and high pressure thermal analyses, safety and stability considerations, catalytic effect on the effluent, and metal corrosion resistance at reaction and storage conditions. Aqueous UAN is found to yield about 99.9 % N 2 when combusted at 25 MPa without a catalyst. Finally, future prospects and research needs are discussed.