Renewable Hydrogen and Ammonia Generation

Today’s technology already makes it possible to create carbon emission-free fuel and fertilizer from raw materials and equipment. Further developing these capabilities will reduce energy dependence on fossil fuels, and release zero greenhouse emissions.

The C-Free Renew System produces two renewable fuel sources on the farm site: hydrogen and ammonia. Both are used to power the C-Free tractor—a John Deere tractor that has been retrofitted with an engine modified to run on hydrogen gas or on hydrogen/ammonia (NH3). Ammonia is also used as a field fertilizer.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen energy can be produced relatively easily through electrolysis—a process that splits water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen. Additionally, using solar energy to power a hydrogen generator makes the entire process is environmentally friendly.

Hydrogen-fueled tractors are already becoming a reality in some parts of Europe, yet the technology is still cost prohibitive for the average farmer.

Ammonia

Farmers have been using ammonia as a cropland fertilizer for decades, so we have extensive experience and knowledge about handling ammonia safely.

Rather than having to rely on purchasing ammonia, the The C-Free Renew System utilizes a small ammonia reactor and subsystem hardware to make ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen. We now have the capability for sustainable locally-made ammonia right on the farm.

Storage

Both the ammonia fertilizer and farm equipment NH3 energy uses are seasonal in nature. However, the renewable energy system can produce and store ammonia/NH3 for up to an entire year.

Numerous resources show that NH3 is most cost-effective means of storing renewable energy for medium- to long-term applications that range from days to months. Therefore, NH3 production and storage would be even more economically favorable at co-op scale. This is also how the production of ethanol fuel began: initially at farm-scale, but eventually it became most economically favorable at co-op scale.