Recently, the first domestic thousand-ton-level modular flexible ammonia synthesis equipment, developed by the Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center (hereinafter “the Institute”), was successfully commissioned in Hefei, Anhui. As of the time of reporting, the equipment has been operating stably for hundreds of hours, with all produced ammonia transported to thermal power plants for ammonia co-firing. This milestone achievement marks a major breakthrough in ammonia synthesis production technology and provides an innovative solution for the green energy sector.

The new-generation modular flexible ammonia synthesis equipment successfully put into trial operation was developed for the green energy liquid fuel sector and is tailor-made for the green electricity–green hydrogen–green ammonia scenario. Its modular, standardized, and intelligent design enables rapid deployment at distributed project sites, significantly reducing construction, operation, and maintenance costs. At the same time, it features dynamic balanced production performance, allowing direct large-scale coupling with renewable energy sources. It can operate at lower loads, reducing the need for green hydrogen storage and thereby lowering overall construction costs. In the future, the modular flexible ammonia synthesis equipment is expected to be widely and deeply applied in multiple fields such as green fertilizers, thermal power ammonia co-firing, green hydrogen carriers, and zero-carbon fuels, thereby fostering the development of high-end equipment manufacturing.

Inside the On-Site Control Room

Workers Inspecting Equipment Conditions

The successful commissioning not only brings innovative technical solutions to the ammonia synthesis industry, but also provides strong technical support for promoting the efficient utilization of green energy and achieving sustainable development that balances economic benefits and environmental protection. With the continuous growth of global demand for clean energy, this technology is expected to be widely applied worldwide, helping to build a new energy system that is clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient.

The Institute of Energy is a provincial public institution co-established by Anhui Province and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It relies on the major scientific and technological innovation platform jointly built by four institutions: the Institute of Plasma Physics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; the University of Science and Technology of China; Hefei University of Technology; and Anhui University of Science and Technology. It focuses on four key directions: clean and efficient utilization of existing fossil energy (clean coal), development of green and clean energy (renewable energy), development of future ultimate energy (magnetically confined fusion energy), and storage, transmission, and distribution of secondary energy (smart power grid). It carries out cutting-edge basic research and major technological breakthroughs, forming a strategic scientific and technological innovation force with significant voice and influence in the field of energy technology development, and building an “aircraft carrier-level” research platform oriented toward the world’s scientific and technological frontiers.