Solar-Wind Hydrogen to Produce Nitrogen Fertilizers in the State of Ceara, Brazil

Lutero Carmo de Lima¹, Rodrigo Alves Patricio², Caike Damiao N. Silva³, Natasha Esteves Batista⁴, Francisco Hedler B. L. Morais⁴, Ellefson Emmanuel S. Oliveira⁴, and Joao Bosco V. Leal Junior¹

1. Graduate Program in Applied Physical Sciences, State of University of Ceara, Brazil                                         

2. Center of Technological Sciences, University of Fortaleza, Brazil

3. University for International Integration of the Afro-Brazilian Lusophony, Brazil

4. Department of Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Ceara, Brazil

Abstract: The mathematical model of the universal solar hydrogen energy system created by Veziroglu and Basar was extended for the feasibility study of producing ammonia as main component for the synthesis of nitrogen fertilizers in the State of Ceara, Brazil. The adapted model considers interrelationships of parameters such as population, energy demand, gross internal product per capita of the region where it is applied and makes long term estimates of the production of solar and wind hydrogen.  Price of energy, necessary area of photovoltaic panels and wind turbines, capacity of desalination plant, capital investments, cost of operation and maintenance, environmental impacts and recently production of ammonia was also included in such model. In the present study it is investigated how the production of ammonia through solar and wind hydrogen can impact on the future market of nitrogen fertilizers of the federal State of Ceara in Brazil.