Advanced Ammonia Synthesis
- High-efficiency designs from 50 to 3,500 MTPD
- Compatible with blue and green hydrogen production
- Seamless integration with urea, nitric acid, and nitrate technologies
- Modular, scalable, and engineered for long-term value
- Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) and Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) compliance
- Reduced refrigeration requirements in high-pressure loop
As global demand for ammonia continues to grow, producers are facing a dual challenge: increasing production capacity while reducing carbon intensity. At the same time, the evolving energy landscape is driving the need for both large-scale conventional ammonia production and decentralized green ammonia facilities powered by renewable electricity.
NX STAMI™ Ammonia technology addresses these challenges through two optimized technology pathways:
- Medium-Pressure Design for cost-efficient large-scale ammonia production
- High-Pressure Design tailored for modular green ammonia plants.
Technology Overview
NX Stami™ Ammonia offers medium and high-pressure technologies for small to large-scale ammonia production. These technologies cover 50-500 and 50-3500 MTPD ammonia, using renewable electricity (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal), as well as renewables or fossil fuels with carbon capture utilization and storage.
The high-pressure design is modular with small footprints, and the medium-pressure design supports efficient ammonia production at a low cost.
These technologies are suitable for decentralized production of green ammonia or large-scale production, e.g., integrated into major fertilizer complexes.
Medium-Pressure Design
NX STAMI™ Ammonia Medium-Pressure Design is developed to meet the growing demand for low-cost and high-efficiency ammonia production. Designed for capacities ranging from 50 to 3,500 MTPD, and scalable to even larger sizes, this process provides flexibility to match specific customer needs.
NX STAMI™ Ammonia medium pressure features a multi-bed, radial-flow reactor with a low-pressure drop configuration. This has been optimized to allow high per-pass conversion with the minimum possible catalyst volume and can be customized based on operating variables.
The system is notable for its superior temperature control in the first bed, allowing for a more efficient converter operation and a longer expected catalyst lifespan.
High-Pressure Design
To enable ammonia production from renewable energy sources with minimal environmental impact, NEXTCHEM also offers the NX STAMI™ Ammonia High-Pressure Design, focusing on sustainable ammonia production.
Designed for small- to medium-scale green ammonia plants with capacities from 50 to 500 MTPD, this technology features a modular setup and compact footprint, making it ideal for decentralized applications. Operating with a single reciprocating compressor minimizes equipment requirements and delivers substantial CAPEX savings.
With four plants already in operation, NX STAMI™ Ammonia High-Pressure Design has the most substantial reference base in the sub-500 MTPD segment, more than any other licensor.
The ammonia synthesis loop operates at a high pressure, increasing conversion efficiency while reducing the need for costly refrigeration systems. The ammonia converter used in this process features a single axial flow catalyst bed design. Heat exchange tubes submerged in the catalyst bed allow excellent temperature control, preventing adverse effects such as catalyst sintering.
The process flow begins with make-up gas, a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen from an upstream electrolyzer and nitrogen generation unit. This gas is compressed in an electrically-driven reciprocating compressor to over 300 bar, and the recycle stream also recompressed to the same pressure.
The high-pressure synthesis loop allows single-stage ammonia condensation using cooling water, eliminating the need for a refrigeration compressor.
Key Benefits of NX STAMI™ Ammonia
- Flexible production pathways for conventional, blue, and green ammonia
- Capacity range from 50 to 3,500 MTPD
- Modular configuration for decentralized green ammonia production
- Proven technology with extensive industrial references
- Optimized synthesis loop for improved conversion efficiency
- Reduced equipment count and lower CAPEX for small-scale plants
- Integration-ready with electrolyzers and renewable power systems
- Suitable for fertilizer complexes and downstream nitrogen chains
Where NX STAMI™ Ammonia Fits In
NX STAMI™ Ammonia is designed by Stamicarbon, to support a wide range of industrial and energy-transition applications, including:
- Conventional ammonia production
- Blue ammonia with integrated carbon capture
- Green ammonia from renewable hydrogen
- Integrated fertilizer complexes
- Hydrogen carrier and energy storage applications
- Decentralized ammonia production hubs
- Export-oriented green ammonia projects
The technology can be integrated with:
- water electrolysis systems
- carbon capture infrastructures
- urea and nitric acid plants
- renewable power sources including solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy.
Whether you're planning a new facility, upgrading an existing plant, or seeking low-carbon alternatives, Nextchem provides:
- Technology licensing
- Process design packages (PDP)
- Proprietary equipment
- Digital solutions
- Post-PDP services
Download the brochure to discover all the key feature about our technology.