Researchers have discovered a method to produce ammonia using Earth’s subsurface conditions. This innovative approach could revolutionize the chemical industry by reducing the energy required and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional ammonia production. The process involves using iron-rich rocks, nitrates, water, and a catalyst at temperatures as low as 130°C and pressures slightly above two atmospheres. In lab tests, ammonia was produced within hours. If scaled up, a single well could generate 40,000 kilograms of ammonia per day. This method could potentially produce ammonia at a cost of $0.55 per kilogram, higher than the current fossil fuel-based production cost of $0.40/kg but lower than other low-emission methods. Further research is needed to understand the reactions at an atomic level and to ensure the process can be effectively implemented in the field.
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