The Need of the Hour: Shifting to the Nitrogen Energy Cycle

The Paradigm Shift from ‘Carbon Cycle’ to ‘Nitrogen Cycle’

Paradigm Shift from Carbon Cycle to Nitrogen Cycle
  • We know that the SUN is the ultimate source of energy on earth, the sun is continuously feeding our mother planet its radiant energy, and green plants convert that energy into biomass by the biological process of photosynthesis.
  • Therefore we are dependent on green plants for all of our food and energy needs.
  • All the food crops, biomass, even the fossil fuels we use extensively is product of the same biological process of Photosynthesis.
  • Biological energy requirement has to rely on this process of photosynthesis only. But we can shift our industrial and transportation needs upon ‘Nitrogen Energy Cycle’
  • ‘Nitrogen Energy Cycle’ can help us Decarbonize our energy economy, get rid of environmental considerations and achieve a sustainable economy.
Nitrogen Energy Cycle
  • We have already studied a ‘Nitrogen Cycle’ in biological system as well, associated with that of plant nutrition and protein metabolism, but this has nothing to do with energy propagation in the biological system.
  • In the ‘Nitrogen Energy Cycle’ the radiant energy from the sun is stored in the chemical bond energy of ‘Green Ammonia’ with combination of green hydrogen and atmospheric nitrogen and the same in return is combusted to release useful energy and combustion product Nitrogen (N2) and Water (H2O) released so as to complete the cycle.
  • We can see comparatively that in the ‘Carbon Energy Cycle’ biomass is produced by Green Plant Photosynthesis with help of solar energy, atmospheric CO2 and H2O, and again upon combustion of the Biomass so produced; Energy is released with the combustion products of CO2 and H2O. Whereas in the ‘Nitrogen Energy Cycle’ ‘Green Ammonia’ is produced by Industrial Process by consuming the solar energy, atmospheric Nitrogen (N2) and Water (H2O), and the same in return is combusted to release useful energy and combustion product Nitrogen (N2) and Water (H2O).
  • In both of the ‘Nitrogen Energy Cycle’ and ‘Carbon Energy Cycle’ oxygen is released to atmosphere during production of ‘Green Ammonia’ and ‘Biomass’ respectively, and during combustion process both of them consumes oxygen from atmosphere.
  • In the ‘Carbon Energy Cycle’ there are many kind of atmospheric pollutions caused by combustion of biomass bio-fuel or fossil-fuel, whereas the Nitrogen Energy Cycle is carbon free we can achieve the ‘net zero emission’

Carbon & Nitrogen (Energy) Cycle Compared

Description Carbon-Cycle Nitrogen-Cycle
Prime Source of Energy Sun Light Sun Light
Production Process Photosynthesis Industrial Process
Annual Oxygen Yield 14.5 Ton/Acre 53.6 Ton/Acre
Thermodynamic Efficiency Irradiation to Biomass (2.0-2.5%) Irradiation to Green AAG (9-12%)
Average Annual Yield/Acre Dry Biomass (16 Ton) Bio-CNG (2.4 Ton) Green Ammonia (40 Ton)
Annual Energy Yield/Acre 2,72,000 MJ (Biomass) 1,24,000 MJ (Bio-CNG) 9,00,000 MJ/Acre
Average Energy Recovery IC Engine (25-28%) IC Engine (54-56%)

Why Nitrogen Energy Cycle?

  • SUN is the prime and ultimate source of energy for both of the ‘Carbon Energy Cycle’ and ‘Nitrogen Energy Cycle’ as well. The first one is based on ‘carbon fixation’ and biomass production by photosynthesis process of green plants with the help of solar energy, while second one is based on ‘nitrogen fixation’ by industrial process to produce Green Ammonia with the help of the same solar energy.
  • The industrial process of green ammonia synthesis is thermodynamically much more efficient than that of the photosynthesis process of green plants. Therefore specific land requirement is reduced for conversion of the solar energy from irradiation to the useful end use.
  • ‘Green Ammonia’ removes all the practical problems of storage, handling and transportation of the Green Hydrogen. Green Ammonia can be stored for long term with moderate conditions of pressure and temperature, and the same can be transported long distance as well.
  • Moreover, we already have in place various rules, regulations, safety measures along with a prolonged experience for production, storage, transportation and handling of ammonia.
  • Help Decarbonize the energy economy, as it bypasses the photosynthesis process and help us propagate the solar energy to various end uses. In Nitrogen Energy Cycle Green AAG is produced by industrial process without any connection with that of carbon. The same may be used for various useful industrial processes as usage of energy.
  • ‘Green AAG’ is the best performing practical and affordable fuel for IC engine, in comparison of any of the fossil fuel and bio-fuel as well.
  • ‘Green AAG’ can be stored for long term to cope with the ‘seasonal intermittency’ of solar power availability, and the stored green energy may conveniently be recovered as and when required.
  • ‘Green AAG’ practically eliminates dependency upon fossil fuels for our energy needs. It may prove to be as convenient and easy to use as LPG to support industrial, transformational energy requirements.
  • Only Hydrogen and Ammonia emits no carbon on combustion. Therefore ‘Green AAG’ is the Clean, Green, Sustainable, Dependable, & Practical fuel for ‘Hydrogen Economy’
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