METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRODUCING AMMONIA
Disclosed herein are methods and systems to produce ammonia from nitrogen and water. In an embodiment, a method of producing ammonia involves contacting nitrogen, water, and at least one superparamagnetic catalyst to form a mixture, and exposing the mixture to a fluctuating magnetic field. In some embodiments, the superparamagnetic catalyst is BVO 2 FeO 2 .
1 . A method of producing ammonia, the method comprising:
contacting nitrogen, water, and at least one superparamagnetic catalyst to form a mixture; and
exposing the mixture to a fluctuating magnetic field to produce ammonia.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein contacting nitrogen, water, and at least one superparamagnetic catalyst comprises contacting nitrogen, water, and BVO 2 FeO 2.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein exposing the mixture to the fluctuating magnetic field to produce ammonia comprises exposing the mixture to the fluctuating magnetic field to produce aqueous ammonia.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein exposing the mixture to the fluctuating magnetic field comprises exposing the mixture to the fluctuating magnetic field in a closed reaction vessel.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein exposing the mixture to the fluctuating magnetic field comprises exposing the mixture to the fluctuating magnetic field in a closed reaction vessel having at least one inlet and at least one outlet.
6 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising maintaining a substantially constant pressure of nitrogen in the closed reaction vessel.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein exposing the mixture to the fluctuating magnetic field comprises maintaining nitrogen in the closed reaction vessel at a pressure of about 1 millibar to about 1 bar.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein contacting nitrogen, water, and at least one superparamagnetic catalyst to form the mixture comprises contacting nitrogen and water with the superparamagnetic catalyst which is present at about 0.1 mole percent to about 1 mole percent of the mixture.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein contacting nitrogen, water, and at least one superparamagnetic catalyst comprises contacting nitrogen, water, and BVO 2 FeO 2 nanoparticles.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein contacting nitrogen, water, and at least one superparamagnetic catalyst comprises contacting nitrogen, water, and BVO 2 FeO 2 nanoparticles coated on a polymer membrane.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein exposing the mixture to the fluctuating magnetic field comprises exposing the mixture to the fluctuating electromagnetic field generated by an electrical current of about 0.1 ampere (A) to about 100 A, and having a frequency of about 25 hertz to about 1 megahertz.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein exposing the mixture to the fluctuating magnetic field comprises exposing the mixture to the fluctuating electromagnetic field of about 0.1 millitesla to about 1 tesla.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein exposing the mixture to the fluctuating magnetic field comprises exposing the mixture to the fluctuating magnetic field for about 30 minutes to about 3 hours.
14 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing the contacting and exposing steps as a batch process or a continuous process.
15 .- 28 . (canceled)
29 . A reactor system for producing ammonia from nitrogen, the reactor comprising:
a closed reaction vessel configured to receive nitrogen, water, and a superparamagnetic catalyst; and
at least one current carrying element arranged in proximity to a surface of the reaction vessel and configured to provide a fluctuating magnetic field.
30 . The reactor system of claim 29 , wherein the catalyst is BVO 2 FeO 2 nanoparticles.
31 . (canceled)
32 . The reactor system of claim 29 , wherein the reactor system is a batch reactor system or a continuous reactor system.
33 . The reactor system of claim 29 , further comprising at least one inlet valve and at least one outlet valve.
34 . (canceled)
35 . The reactor system of claim 29 , wherein the reaction vessel is configured to maintain a constant pressure of nitrogen during a reaction process.
36 . The reactor system of claim 29 , further comprising a thermoelectric couple, a pressure gauge, a temperature controller, a cooling system, a mechanical stirrer, or any combination thereof.
37 .- 39 . (canceled)