Fertiliser producer Yara and industrial gases firm Linde will build a green hydrogen demonstration plant at Yara’s existing ammonia production facility in Porsgrunn, Norway.

The facility is the largest industrial site in Norway and produces 3mn t/yr of fertiliser.

The project, which is supported by a NOK283mn ($31mn) grant from Norwegian state finance body Enova, will use a 24MW electrolyser designed by manufacturer ITM Power and shipped by the end of 2022.

“The project aims to supply the first green ammonia products to the market as early as mid-2023, both as fossil-free fertilisers, as well as emissions-free shipping fuel,” says Magnus Ankarstrand, president of Yara Clean Ammonia.

“Green ammonia is the key to reducing emissions from world food production and long-distance shipping. With this project, we move from intention to actions together with Linde Engineering and local contractors.”

41,000t/yr – CO₂ to be saved by project

The proton-exchange-membrane electrolyser will supply 10t/d of hydrogen to the ammonia plant and will account for approximately 5pc of its feedstock.

The plant will produce 20,000t/yr of green ammonia, which can be converted into over 60,000t/yr of green fertiliser. Green hydrogen will replace ethane as a raw material in the production of ammonia, thereby reducing emissions at the facility by 41,000 t/yr CO₂.

Yara will work with a significant number of local suppliers in the region to deliver the project.

Fertile ground

Yara is the world's leading supplier of mineral fertiliser, with a global market share of around 8pc. Over 25pc of its fertiliser products are delivered to Asia.

The Porsgrunn facility consists of several factory units—a modern ammonia factory with a capacity of 530,000t/yr, three nitric acid factories with a total capacity of 1.3mn t/yr, two fertiliser factories with a total capacity of about 2mn t/yr and a calcium nitrate factory with a capacity of about 1mn t/yr.

The Norwegian government’s hydrogen strategy is focused on blue hydrogen in the near term rather than green, with the initial goal of establishing five blue hydrogen hubs in coastal regions to provide an alternative fuel for the shipping industry and for some parts of the road transport sector.

However, the strategy will also support 5-10 green hydrogen pilot projects.

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Author: Tom Young