Jakarta, INTI - Ammonia is a strategic chemical material that plays an important role in the agricultural sector, particularly as a primary ingredient in nitrogen fertilizers. However, to date, global ammonia production still relies on the Haber–Bosch process, which requires high temperatures and pressures, consuming high energy and contributing to carbon emissions.
To address this challenge, Deni Swantomo, a lecturer and researcher at the Indonesian Polytechnic of Nuclear Technology (Poltek Nuklir) of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), developed a simpler and potentially environmentally friendly alternative approach through plasma technology. He explained that his team utilized Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma technology to produce ammonia directly from water and nitrogen gas.
The study, titled "Ammonia Production from Water and Nitrogen Gas Using a Simple Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Reactor," utilizes a plasma reactor with a needle-to-plate electrode configuration.
"Unlike conventional methods, this system can operate at room temperature and pressure, without requiring extreme conditions or additional hydrogen gas," said Deni on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
In the process, nitrogen gas is passed through and energized by electricity to form a plasma that produces reactive nitrogen species. This plasma then interacts with the water surface, breaking down water molecules into hydrogen and hydroxyl radicals. The nitrogen and hydrogen atoms then react to form ammonia.
Various Parameters are Tested
This study also evaluated various operational parameters, such as nitrogen flow rate, electrical power, electrode spacing, water type, and acidity level (pH). Optimal results were obtained at a nitrogen flow rate of 1.4 liters per minute, 75 watts of power, and an electrode spacing of 1 centimeter, using deionized water with a pH of around 5, and without the addition of ultraviolet (UV) light. Under these conditions, the ammonia concentration reached 19.7 ppm within a reaction time of 30 minutes.
The results showed that using deionized water resulted in higher ammonia production than using tap water. The mineral content in tap water is known to trigger side reactions that inhibit ammonia formation. Meanwhile, the addition of UV light actually reduced yields by triggering the decomposition of the ammonia that had already formed.
"Using high-purity water yields more optimal results. On the other hand, UV exposure tends to reduce ammonia concentrations because it triggers further decomposition," explained Deni.
Potential Technology for Sustainable Farming
Overall, this research demonstrates that a simple plasma DBD system can be an alternative for producing ammonia without catalysts, complex pretreatment, and the use of additional hydrogen gas. However, Deni emphasized that the current production scale is still limited to the laboratory level and cannot yet match industrial capacity.
"This approach opens up opportunities for developing more sustainable and energy-efficient fertilizer production technology. The system is relatively simple, does not require expensive catalysts, and can operate under normal conditions," he added.
Going forward, this technology is expected to be further developed as a cleaner and more efficient solution for ammonia production, while also supporting sustainable agriculture and global food security. This research is the result of an international collaboration with researchers from the Research Unit on Plasma Technology for High-Performance Materials Development, Chulalongkorn University, and the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology.
Conclusion
Researchers from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BNRI) and the Nuclear Polytechnic (Poltek Nuclear) have developed a simpler and more environmentally friendly ammonia production method using DBD plasma technology, which can produce ammonia directly from water and nitrogen without the high temperatures, pressures, or hydrogen requirements of the Haber–Bosch process. This research demonstrates optimal results under certain conditions, although still at a laboratory scale. This approach is considered a potential solution for more energy-efficient and sustainable fertilizer production, while also supporting future food security.
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