Much fuss is made of current synthetic fertilisers being dependent on fossil fuel inputs, but they need not be. The hydrogen and energy inputs into fertiliser can be generated using solar energy from water.
From CSIRO:
Until now, hydrogen’s use as an energy source has been minimal, because fossil fuels have been so readily available and hydrogen generation has been comparatively expensive and inefficient.
But there is nothing like a bit of focused science to change the perception of what might be achievable. CSIRO Manufacturing and Infrastructure Technology has developed a device the size of a small, domestic microwave oven that runs on mains power or from a solar panel to extract enough hydrogen per day from water to power a family car for up to 150 kilometres. This work also forms part of CSIRO’s Energy Transformed Flagship research program into positioning Australia for a future hydrogen economy.
While the idea of fuelling your car with hydrogen generated from a solar panel might sound like sci-fi, researchers say concepts such as the hydrogen economy are real possibilities.
From CSIRO Solve newsletter via Farmonline.
I believe we can further improve on the process.
ReplyDeleteThe ingredients for ammonia fertiliser are nitrogen from the atmosphere and hydrogen. The synthesis is achieved by the Haber Process, which occurs at high temperatures and pressures.
Perhaps the high temperatures can be achieved using solar concentrators as well, and more solar power to power the compression for the high pressure needed.
The ultimate result is the synthesis of ammonia without using any fossil fuels. Said ammonia can of course be directly used as a fertiliser.