Chemistry: Teach4Life

Using Synthetic Fertilizers from Green Ammonia: Yes or No?

Ammonia is a chemical compound with numerous industrial applications (refrigeration gas, water purification, plastics industry, explosives, textiles, dyes, cleaning products, etc.). Alternative processes have been discussed, regarding the production of ammonia by the Haber-Bosch process, such as the production of green ammonia.

In agriculture, it is necessary to use fertilizers to increase crop production. These fertilizers are produced in large quantities to meet the world's needs, from ammonia, mainly produced by the Haber-Bosch process.

A group of young entrepreneurs wants to intervene in an agricultural region with the aim of contributing to more sustainable agriculture. Therefore, they were informed about the work of a group of researchers who have a patent on how to produce green ammonia.

The farmers' community is divided. Some prefer to buy fertilizers produced by the Haber-Bosch process, because they already have suppliers who ensure the supply of this chemical compound. Others are enthusiastic about the idea of practicing a more sustainable agriculture, whose ammonia production is local and from which they can turn it into synthetic fertilizers. Thus, in order to inform the community to be informed and to act with scientific knowledge, the local media mobilized to provide clarification on the situation, organizing a public discussion, mediated by a chemistry teacher.

Details

For this discussion were invited:

Chemical engineers
Young entrepreneurs
Representatives of the municipality
Health delegates
Civil protection representatives
Local company representatives

Moderator	The moderator is the chemistry teacher who moderates the discussion, giving the floor to the different elements of the groups in a balanced way and asking questions throughout the presentations.
Chemical engineers	The group of chemical engineers develops its activity in the factory that uses the Haber-Bosch process. It is up to this group to: Explain the Haber-Bosch process (diagram) and write the chemical equation of ammonia production Identify in an ammonia production diagram: (i) the raw materials that selected the least pollutants (ii) the reagents and products of the reaction, (iii) the outputs of the process Predict the environmental impact of process by-products Explain the optimal operative conditions of pressure based on the chemical equation of the ammonia production process Explain the optimal operative conditions of the process temperature based on the enthalpy variation of the chemical reaction of the ammonia production process Predict process energy consumption (low/moderate/high) and why Refer to the production capacity of NH3, in view of global needs
Young entrepreneurs	The group of young entrepreneurs knows the innovative process of producing green ammonia, using a pilot project. It is up to this group to: Explain the production process, more specifically, raw materials, reagents, and reaction products Explain the temperature and process pressure conditions Explain Energy advantages/disadvantages (associated with costs) Explain Production capacity Explain Advantages/disadvantages from the point of view of ammonia production on site Explain Energy source needs: solar and/or wind Study in pilot phase
Representatives of the municipality	The representatives of the municipality want to modernize the region, meet the decarbonization targets and give autonomy to farmers (less dependence on fertilizer exporting countries). They are therefore based on the process that generates fewer carbon-based compounds, less energy consumption and offers more local employment opportunities.
Health delegates	Health delegates warn of the risks of exposure to ammonia either directly (skin and inhalation) or through the food chain. It is up to this group to: Investigate the environmental impact on local water and atmosphere quality due to the intensive use of synthetic fertilizers and possible associated diseases. Suggest alternatives to commend crops through more environmentally friendly and more economical processes.
Civil protection representatives	Civil protection representatives are concerned about ammonia storage. Therefore, they warn of the risks that may occur and the care to be taken. It is up to this group to: Explain effluent utilization/treatment strategies that hold polluters responsible due to the excessive use of synthetic fertilizer.
Local company representatives	Local company representatives intend to turn ammonia into fertilizers. Therefore, they are in favor of the installation of the local ammonia production plant It is up to this group to: Explain good practices for the use of synthetic fertilizers (ammonia-based or nitrogenous) Exemplify a process of ammonia transformation into nitrogen fertilizers Explain the environmental impact (water, soil and atmospheric) due to the intensive use of synthetic fertilizers

Constitute groups of 3-4 people. Each group will represent one of the roles indicated in the previous table.
Search the internet to answer the guiding questions on the board.
Hold the discussion. During the discussion, take notes, [in order to prepare a report by group summing up the session] making known the final solution for the community: a local ammonia production plant and its transformation into synthetic fertilizers or import of synthetic fertilizers based on the Haber-Bosch process.
Create a creative post about the final solution and share it on social networks.

Solution 1

Solution 2

Implementation

SSIs in this Example

Characteristics of SSIs

How to use SSIs in STEM Ed

The controversy in this example: To opt for an installation of a pilot green ammonia production project and its transformation into synthetic fertilizers (solution 1) or import synthetic nitrogen-based fertilizers from ammonia produced by the Haber-Bosch process (solution 2).
What option to take between the production of fertilizers from a pilot project with very low environmental impact or import fertilizers that present guarantees from the point of view of quality and quantity, but more polluting (greenhouse gas production among others)
Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of the two processes, if there is an effective clarification of farmers about good practices in ammonia production and fertilizer production and use, solution 1 brings more benefits to the community and contributes to minimize global warming.

Features

SSI have a scientific basis and require people to get involved in discussion and debate.
They are sometimes controversial in nature.
They require the formation of opinions and decision-making, including scientific, moral, ethical or social reasoning issues.

Dealing with SSIs

Dealing with these issues requires the evaluation of incomplete information from contradictory or incomplete evidence and incomplete reports.
Often these issues involve a cost-benefit analysis, and risk interacts with ethical reasoning.

The goal is to understand how different opinions evolve and reinforce each other.

Read the text carefully!
How do you position yourself in this context?
Put yourself in the role of a specialist. As you argue...
1. ... if you oppose the case?
2. ... if you do not oppose the case?
Do your own research (internet).
Find a list of scientific arguments that favor opposition to the arguments in this case.
Draw up a connection between the case and the scientific facts.
What other aspects influence the perception of this case?

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Using Synthetic Fertilizers from Green Ammonia: Yes or No?

Details

Solution 1

Solution 2

Implementation

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Implementation

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Education: Chemistry