Patent ID: 8916123

Claim:
A process for synthesizing ammonia, comprising: providing an electrolytic cell comprising a lithium ion conducting membrane configured to selectively transport lithium ions, the membrane positioned between an anolyte compartment configured with an anode and a catholyte compartment configured with a cathode; introducing aqueous LiOH into the anolyte compartment; introducing N 2 into the catholyte compartment; and electrolyzing the aqueous LiOH at the anode according to the following oxidation reaction: 6LiOH→6Li + +3H 2 O+3/2O 2 +6 e − electrolyzing Li + and N 2 at the cathode according to the following reduction reaction: 6Li + +N 2 +6 e − →Li 3 N( s ) reacting the Li 3 N with H 2 O according to the following reaction: Li 3 N( s )+3H 2 O→3LiOH+NH 3 ( g ) recovering the NH 3 ; and recovering the LiOH.