UK technology start-up Rhizo PTX has developed a modular electrolyser stack designed to produce clean ammonia from water, air and renewable electricity.
The company says the technology has been validated at proof-of-concept stage, with ammonia production monitored using a heated TDLS ammonia analyser supplied by Signal Group.
Rhizo PTX is developing the process as an alternative to conventional ammonia production, which is typically based on the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process and commonly relies on hydrogen produced from fossil fuels.
Direct ammonia production without a hydrogen step
Ammonia is widely used as an industrial feedstock, particularly in fertilisers, chemicals, plastics and synthetic fibres. It is also gaining attention as a hydrogen carrier, maritime fuel option and energy storage medium.
Rhizo PTX’s approach combines nitrogen from air with water in an electrochemical process powered by renewable electricity. The aim is to produce ammonia directly, rather than first generating hydrogen as an intermediate product.
The company says this could reduce process complexity, simplify plant design and enable ammonia production in locations where conventional manufacturing infrastructure would be impractical.
“This technology is really exciting,” said Ash Stott, CEO of Rhizo PTX.
“Once we have demonstrated scalability, our technology will contribute greatly to the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate industries.”
Ammonia analyser supports development work
Accurate measurement has been central to Rhizo PTX’s development work because the team needs to confirm ammonia production continuously and avoid false positives during experimental runs.
After assessing several analytical techniques, including colorimetric methods, FTIR, ion chromatography and gas chromatography-based methods, the company selected Signal Group’s S4 NEBULA heated TDLS ammonia analyser.
The analyser uses tunable diode laser spectroscopy for ammonia measurement. Signal Group lists the S4 NEBULA as suitable for process, environmental monitoring, automotive and research applications.
“We have been delighted with the NEBULA and with the support that we have received from Signal,” said Ben Kyffin of Rhizo PTX.
Signal Group said the analyser’s fully heated sampling and measurement system helps prevent moisture from condensing before the detector, which is important in gas analysis applications.
“It is essential for most gas analysis applications that moisture does not condense at any point between the sampling point and the detector,” said James Clements of Signal Group.
Scaling towards customer pilots
Rhizo PTX has validated its benchtop demonstrator at technology readiness level 4 and is now designing a larger electrolyser capable of producing up to 1kg of ammonia per day.
The company is also raising investment to scale a minimum viable product for customer pilots, targeting several kilograms of ammonia per day at technology readiness level 6.
As the technology develops, the S4 NEBULA is expected to shift from a research tool towards a process and emissions monitoring instrument, helping quantify production efficiency and support commercialisation.
The broader ammonia sector is also evolving. The Ammonia Energy Association describes ammonia as a scalable low-emission energy solution, with applications across production, safety, distribution, power generation, storage and maritime use.
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FAQs
What has Rhizo PTX developed?
Rhizo PTX has developed a modular electrolyser stack designed to produce ammonia directly from water, air and renewable electricity.
Why is ammonia important for decarbonisation?
Ammonia is an industrial feedstock and is also being explored as an energy carrier, hydrogen transport medium, maritime fuel option and energy storage route.
What analyser is Rhizo PTX using?
The company is using Signal Group’s S4 NEBULA heated TDLS ammonia analyser to monitor ammonia production during experimental runs.
What is the next development stage?
Rhizo PTX is designing a larger electrolyser capable of producing up to 1kg of ammonia per day and is seeking investment to scale towards customer pilots.
