Ammonia production systems and methods

Abstract

Ammonia production systems are provided that can include: a reactor configured to receive N2 and H2; catalyst within the reactor, the catalyst comprising material having a band gap >3 eV; and a radiation conduit extending into the reactor and configured to expose the N2, H2, and catalyst to the radiation and form NH3. Methods for producing ammonia are also provided. The methods can include: providing a catalyst comprising material having a band gap >3 eV; exposing the catalyst to both N2 and H2; and while the catalyst is exposed to both N2 and H2, exposing the catalyst to radiation to form NH3. The methods can also include providing a catalyst comprising material having a high-band gap; exposing the catalyst to both N2 and H2; and while the catalyst is exposed to both N2 and H2, exposing the catalyst to gamma rays to form NH3.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.