IMPROVED METHOD FOR STORING AND DELIVERING AMMONIA FROM SOLID STORAGE MATERIALS USING A VACUUM PUMP

摘要

In a method of storing and releasing gaseous ammonia from solid storage materials a first solid storage material (14) capable of releasing ammonia by desorption in a first container (10) and a second solid storage material (24) capable of ad- or absorbing ammonia reversibly and having a higher affinity for ammonia than the first storage material (14) in a second container (20) smaller than said first container (10) are in fluid communication. The pressure in at least the first container (10) is kept below the equilibrium pressure between ammonia and the storage material contained therein by means of a pump (28). When the pressure in the first container (10) is below a pressure threshold where the first storage material (14) does not release an amount of ammonia required by an ammonia consuming device connected with the containers via the vacuum pump (28), the second storage material (24) is heated such that the ammonia pressure of the second material (24) is higher than the ammonia pressure of the first material (14). The ammonia released by the second material (24) is continuously pumped off so as to deliver sufficient ammonia to said ammonia consuming unit. A device for carrying out the method is also described.