Conceptual Design of an Ammonia Synthesizer for Space Applications

A space-based ammonia synthesizer fixes nitrogen for plants or algae grown in a closed environmental life support system (CELSS). The reactor in this conceptual design operates at 4000 atm to achieve nearly complete conversion of nitrogen and hydrogen to ammonia. This high pressure is developed by a four-stage compressor which is a modified version of a proven laboratory design. This ammonia synthesis system (including the equipment to separate nitrogen from the air) is estimated to have the following specifications for a four-person crew: weight = 57 kg, power = 710 W, volume = 125 L.