Process Design and Techno-economic analysis of Hydrogen Production using Green Ammonia Imported from Australia- A Korea Case Study

Abstract Hydrogen can be a potential solution to decarbonise the transportation sector since it has a very high energy content. Its separation from water by the process of electrolysis need a vast amount of electricity and renewable energy sources like solar PV and wind electricity can play a vital role in shifting towards hydrogen economy, if they are utilised effectively. Still the problem with the hydrogen economy is the massive investment in its large scale transportation and storage infrastructure as it has a low volumetric energy density, which creates significant challenges in transporting bulk volumes. One feasible and still optimistic approach is to use ammonia as a hydrogen carrier that can be transported globally with the existing infrastructure. South Korea is evaluating the possibilities of importing green ammonia and using it for hydrogen production to meet country hydrogen demands particularly related to transportation sector. This research work presents a process design and techno-economic analysis of importing green ammonia from Australia and using it for hydrogen production in Korea at the hour of need. Processes were simulated by using commercial process simulator Aspen Plus V11. The main contributors of the economic assessment are capital and operational expenditures of electrolyser and solar photovoltaic power plant. The levelised cost of green ammonia is 870 $/ton while that of hydrogen is 8.90 $/kg stating that it is a viable option to use imported green ammonia to meet country hydrogen demands. Future estimates from multiple studies show that by 2030 further cost declines are possible in electrolyser and solar panels capital expenditures resulting the green ammonia cost to $350 per ton and making this case more economically viable to meet hydrogen demands.