A new reactor could triple yields of a valuable chemical
How It Works UK|Issue 195
A new reactor could turn wastewater into drinking water while also generating one of the world’s most sought-after chemicals.
VICTORIA ATKINSON
A new reactor could triple yields of a valuable chemical

The new reactor produces ammonia gas from water contaminated with nitrate ions. Ammonia (NH3) is an extremely important industrial chemical. It is one of the key components in fertilisers and also vital in chemical manufacturing processes. Over 163 million tonnes are produced annually, mostly by the 100-year-old Haber-Bosch process – a high temperature, high pressure reaction between hydrogen and nitrogen. This one chemical reaction alone uses approximately two per cent of the world’s energy. Nitrate, on the other hand, pollutes rivers and streams when excess runoff from fertilised farmland enters local waterways. Nitrates devastate aquatic ecosystems, and at higher levels in drinking water can pose health risks. To be safe to drink, water must be thoroughly treated to remove nitrates.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 195 من How It Works UK.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 195 من How It Works UK.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من HOW IT WORKS UK مشاهدة الكل
THE POWER OF WATER
How It Works UK

THE POWER OF WATER

We're hooked on fossil fuels. But hydroelectric power is becoming an increasingly important replacement for coal and oil

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 195
EXPLORING THE MOON'S CAVES
How It Works UK

EXPLORING THE MOON'S CAVES

Earth's rocky neighbour is home to a network of unexplored caves, and scientists are keen to take a peek inside

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 195
HOW TO ELECT THE PRESIDENT
How It Works UK

HOW TO ELECT THE PRESIDENT

The campaigns, votes and elections that put someone in America's most powerful office

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 195
WHAT IS MORNING SICKNESS?
How It Works UK

WHAT IS MORNING SICKNESS?

Why some pregnancies can cause nausea and vomiting

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 195
20 WEIRDEST SCIENCE MYSTERIES
How It Works UK

20 WEIRDEST SCIENCE MYSTERIES

From dark matter to deep-sea crabs, science still can't fully explain these strange quirks of nature

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 195
THE TRIANGULUM GALAXY SHINES IN A NEW HUBBLE IMAGE
How It Works UK

THE TRIANGULUM GALAXY SHINES IN A NEW HUBBLE IMAGE

A nearby galaxy is shining with star formation in a new image from the Hubble Space Telescope.

time-read
1 min  |
Issue 195
The world's fastest charger fully powers smartphones in five minutes
How It Works UK

The world's fastest charger fully powers smartphones in five minutes

Scientists have revealed the fastest battery-charging technology in the world for smartphones, which can fully charge a smartphone in less than five minutes.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 195
Real-time brain stimulation slashes Parkinson's symptoms by half in trials
How It Works UK

Real-time brain stimulation slashes Parkinson's symptoms by half in trials

Brain stimulation that rapidly adjusts in real-time can dramatically reduce Parkinson’s symptoms, an early trial suggests.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 195
The hottest ocean temperature in 400 years threatens the Great Barrier Reef
How It Works UK

The hottest ocean temperature in 400 years threatens the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is facing the hottest sea surface temperatures in four centuries.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 195
Massive medieval coin hoard worth about 150 sheep' discovered
How It Works UK

Massive medieval coin hoard worth about 150 sheep' discovered

Archaeologists in Germany have unearthed over 1,500 medieval silver coins after a citizen noticed what looked like ‘small metal plates’ while digging during a construction project.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 195