KAPSOM Secures National Patent for

Innovative Heat Pipe Ammonia Synthesis Reactor

KAPSOM has recently been granted a new invention patent by the China National Intellectual Property Administration for its "Heat Pipe Ammonia Synthesis Reactor". This milestone marks another significant leap in KAPSOM's ongoing efforts to drive innovation in green ammonia processes and equipment design.

In the ammonia synthesis industry, the reactor is the heart of the process — its design and performance directly determine the efficiency and energy consumption of ammonia production.

Conventional ammonia reactors typically feature a vertical cylindrical structure with multiple horizontal catalyst beds, through which reaction gas flows from top to bottom. To maintain the catalyst's active temperature, these reactors often include heat exchange tubes within the catalyst beds for cooling. However, this configuration suffers from a well-known drawback: the "cold tube effect". This phenomenon leads to uneven temperature distribution, reduced reaction efficiency, and difficulty in precise temperature control — all of which ultimately limit energy performance and conversion efficiency.

KAPSOM's newly patented design offers an innovative solution to these long-standing industry challenges.

The heat pipe ammonia synthesis reactor adopts a horizontal elliptical shell design, with internal partitions dividing the structure into two main zones: an upper heat exchange chamber and a lower reaction chamber. Inside the reaction chamber, multiple vertically arranged catalyst layers replace the traditional horizontally stacked configuration, creating efficient and uniform heat transfer channels that improve both gas distribution and reaction control.

Figure | Namibia Green Ammonia Demonstration Project by KAPSOM

Through the use of heat pipes, the new design enables highly efficient thermal exchange between the two chambers, ensuring each catalyst layer operates within its optimal temperature range. This design eliminates local overheating or overcooling, significantly enhances synthesis efficiency, and maintains superior temperature uniformity across the reactor. Additionally, the optimized geometry improves pressure resistance, thermal stress distribution, and operational stability, extending the overall service life of the equipment.

Beyond addressing the cold tube effect and associated energy losses, KAPSOM's patented reactor also delivers advancements in system adaptability, temperature control precision, and maintenance simplicity. These improvements make it especially well-suited for green ammonia production powered by intermittent renewable energy, providing a robust technical foundation for the next generation of high-efficiency, integrated green ammonia systems.