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Blue Ammonia and the Supply Chain Pioneering Sustainability Assessment for a Greener Future

Author

Listed:
  • Hussein Al-Yafei

    (College of Engineering and Technology, University of Doha for Science and Technology, Doha P.O. Box 24449, Qatar)

  • Saleh Aseel

    (College of Engineering and Technology, University of Doha for Science and Technology, Doha P.O. Box 24449, Qatar)

  • Ahmed Alnouss

    (College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar)

  • Ahmad Al-Kuwari

    (Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar)

  • Nagi Abdussamie

    (College of Engineering and Technology, University of Doha for Science and Technology, Doha P.O. Box 24449, Qatar)

  • Talal Al Tamimi

    (College of Engineering and Technology, University of Doha for Science and Technology, Doha P.O. Box 24449, Qatar)

  • Hamad Al Mannaei

    (College of Engineering and Technology, University of Doha for Science and Technology, Doha P.O. Box 24449, Qatar)

  • Heba Ibrahim

    (College of Engineering and Technology, University of Doha for Science and Technology, Doha P.O. Box 24449, Qatar)

  • Noor Abu Hashim

    (College of Engineering and Technology, University of Doha for Science and Technology, Doha P.O. Box 24449, Qatar)

  • Bader Al Delayel

    (College of Engineering and Technology, University of Doha for Science and Technology, Doha P.O. Box 24449, Qatar)

  • Hagar Nasr

    (College of Engineering and Technology, University of Doha for Science and Technology, Doha P.O. Box 24449, Qatar)

Abstract

With the global shift to sustainability, the energy sector faces pressure to adopt low-carbon solutions. Blue ammonia (BA), derived from natural gas (NG) with carbon capture, presents significant opportunities but requires a holistic sustainability assessment. This study conducts a novel life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) of BA, evaluating environmental, economic, and social impact performance from feedstock processing to maritime transport for a 1.2 MMTPA production capacity. Process simulations in Aspen HYSYS V12 and the ammonia maritime transport operations’ sustainability assessment model provide critical insights. The ammonia converter unit contributes the highest emissions (17.9 million tons CO 2 -eq), energy use (963.2 TJ), and operational costs (USD 189.2 million). CO 2 removal has the most considerable land use (141.7 km 2 ), and purification records the highest water withdrawal (14.8 million m 3 ). Carbon capture eliminates 6.5 million tons of CO 2 annually. Economically, ammonia shipping dominates gross surplus (USD 653.9 million, 72%) and tax revenue (USD 65.3 million) despite employing just 43 workers. Socially, the ammonia converter unit has the highest human health impact (16,621 DALY, 54%). Sensitivity analysis reveals transport distance (46.5% CO 2 emissions) and LNG fuel prices (63.8% costs) as key uncertainties. Findings underscore the need for optimized logistics and alternative fuels to enhance BA sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Hussein Al-Yafei & Saleh Aseel & Ahmed Alnouss & Ahmad Al-Kuwari & Nagi Abdussamie & Talal Al Tamimi & Hamad Al Mannaei & Heba Ibrahim & Noor Abu Hashim & Bader Al Delayel & Hagar Nasr, 2025. "Blue Ammonia and the Supply Chain Pioneering Sustainability Assessment for a Greener Future," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-32, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:5:p:1137-:d:1599659
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bilgili, Levent, 2021. "Comparative assessment of alternative marine fuels in life cycle perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    2. Hussein Al-Yafei & Murat Kucukvar & Ahmed AlNouss & Saleh Aseel & Nuri C. Onat, 2021. "A Novel Hybrid Life Cycle Assessment Approach to Air Emissions and Human Health Impacts of Liquefied Natural Gas Supply Chain," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-32, October.
    3. Hossein Ali Yousefi Rizi & Donghoon Shin, 2022. "Green Hydrogen Production Technologies from Ammonia Cracking," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-49, November.
    4. Ismail Abdallah & Hamed Alhosin & Mohamed Belarabi & Sanae Chaouki & Nousseiba Mahmoud & Jad Tayah, 2024. "A Pan-Asian Energy Transition? The New Rationale for Decarbonization Policies in the World’s Largest Energy Exporting Countries: A Case Study of Qatar and Other GCC Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-30, July.
    5. Kumar, Laveet & Sleiti, Ahmad K., 2024. "Systematic review on ammonia as a sustainable fuel for combustion," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
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