Ammonia cracking, the catalytic decomposition of ammonia (NH 3 ) into nitrogen (N 2 ) and hydrogen (H 2 ), is gaining attention as a viable pathway for hydrogen supply in future decarbonized energy systems. This is driven by ammonia’s renewable synthesis potential, high specific hydrogen content, carbon-free composition, and compatibility with existing global transport infrastructure. Nevertheless, deploying ammonia cracking at industrial scale demands a comprehensive evaluation of both economic viability and environmental impacts. This study presents a detailed process design for industrial-scale fired ammonia cracking. Multiple design cases with varying system pressures are modeled using UniSim Design to analyze hydrogen and energy efficiency trends. These simulations provide the basis for techno-economic assessments (TEAs) quantifying cost competitiveness of hydrogen supply from ammonia. Preliminary life cycle assessments (LCAs) are conducted according to ISO 14040/44 standards, employing ‘cradle-to-gate’ system boundaries. These evaluations provide the full environmental footprint of hydrogen transportation via ammonia, from upstream ammonia synthesis and transportation to hydrogen recovery. Hydrogen efficiencies range from 78.51 % to 78.62 %, and energy efficiencies from 87.76 % to 89.11 %, across the studied pressure scenarios. The levelized cost of hydrogen ranges between 4.616 and 4.528 € per kg H 2 , while the associated climate change impact ranges from 8.717 to 8.485 kg CO2eq per kg H 2 . The integrated TEA-LCA framework yields consistent and transparent results, providing critical insights into the trade-offs between economic and environmental performance and supporting strategic decision-making for ammonia-based hydrogen transport infrastructure.
Wodak et al. (Thu,) studied this question.