Prioritizing Safety Culture for Ammonia as a Fuel

To support the energy transition, it is important to understand key global standards on ammonia safety and develop RAGAGEP documents that can be adopted by industries worldwide.

Proposed and ongoing expansions in ammonia production and use are gaining momentum quickly. Green and blue ammonia projects are being undertaken by a diverse range of companies and organizations — from established ammonia producers and energy companies to private equity firms new to chemical processing. The primary driver of this effort is the use of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier or fuel. However, this swift progress brings challenges in ensuring safe production, transportation, and utilization of ammonia throughout the supply chain, down to the end users.

As the ammonia industry embraces the energy transition, clear guidance for safe design and operations is critical to the success of ammonia-as-fuel initiatives. This article discusses safety concerns in ammonia production and transport, and recaps relevant industry standards and guidance. It also identifies gaps to help the industry respond proactively to the changing regulatory environment and allow for the safe development of ammonia as a fuel. Lessons from the Ammonia and Fertilizers Joint Industry Program (JIP) can be applied in developing new safety guidance documents for the stakeholders in this booming industry.

Introduction

The energy transition is occurring at a rapid rate, with hydrogen emerging as the cleanest carbon-free fuel source. Anhydrous ammonia is in high demand, offering a low-carbon, high-hydrogen-density energy source with potential applications across various industries, including shipping, thermal energy storage, power generation, and more. This shift has resulted in many legacy companies expanding from traditional ammonia manufacturing for fertilizers and chemicals to energy-related uses.

Business growth opportunities...