Nutrien eyes clean-ammonia plant

Abstract

In another possible big-ticket project in the US to make low-carbon-intensity ammonia, Nutrien says it is considering spending $2 billion to build what would be the world’s largest such facility at its site in Geismar, Louisiana. The plant would have 1.2 million metric tons (t) per year of capacity to make what Nutrien is calling “clean ammonia.” An autothermal reformer would generate hydrogen from natural gas for reaction with nitrogen to produce ammonia. The company is designing the facility to capture 90% of its carbon dioxide emissions. Ashley Harris, vice president of environmental performance and innovation at Nutrien, says that rate of carbon capture is higher than the 60% typically achieved by conventional ammonia plants based on methane steam reforming when they capture CO 2 . If the firm switches the plant’s fuel source from methane to hydrogen, the facility can reach net-zero emissions, Harris says. Nutrien has signed an