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

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 and Hagar Nasr
Additional contact information
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

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-32

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.

Keywords: life cycle sustainability assessment; blue ammonia; environmental life cycle assessment; life cycle cost; social life cycle assessment; policymaking (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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