The International Energy
Agency: “Cooling will drive peak electricity demand, especially in hot
countries.”
Robust cooling demand is a
pretty sure bet.
Ammonium nitrate has
thermodynamic properties and heat transfer capabilities that make it efficient
and cost-effective for cooling systems. An article in Eureka by Patsnap gives
some historical context:
“The historical development of ammonium nitrate in
cooling applications traces back to early industrial processes where its
endothermic dissolution properties were first recognized. This compound
demonstrates remarkable heat absorption capacity when dissolved in water,
creating a cooling effect that has been systematically studied and refined over
decades. The technology has evolved from simple laboratory applications to
sophisticated industrial implementations, particularly in sectors requiring
precise temperature control and rapid cooling capabilities.”
The current focus in ammonium
nitrate cooling is on increasing efficiency through automated ammonium nitrate
concentration management to optimize heat transfer rates. Chemical processing,
metallurgy, and specialized manufacturing operations are target industrial
applications for the tech. Ammonium nitrate handling and storage risks must
also be mitigated. This involves implementing advanced monitoring systems,
fail-safe mechanisms, and standardized operational procedures. These cooling
systems can also be combined with conventional cooling systems into hybrid
systems.
Demand for industrial cooling
continues to grow, including in the data center and semiconductor industries,
and in places like Asia where manufacturing is growing.
“Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) cooling systems currently
occupy a niche position within the industrial cooling landscape, primarily
utilized in specialized applications where conventional refrigerants face
regulatory or performance limitations. The technology leverages NH4NO3's
endothermic dissolution properties, where the salt absorbs significant thermal
energy when dissolved in water, creating a cooling effect that can reach
temperatures as low as -20°C depending on concentration ratios.”
The article lists some of the
key challenges of these systems below:
“Major technical challenges impede widespread adoption
of NH4NO3 cooling systems. Corrosion represents the most significant obstacle,
as ammonium nitrate solutions exhibit aggressive corrosive behavior toward
standard metallic components, necessitating expensive corrosion-resistant
materials such as specialized stainless steel alloys or polymer-based heat
exchangers. This material requirement substantially increases initial capital
costs compared to conventional cooling systems.”
“System efficiency presents another critical challenge.
While NH4NO3 solutions provide effective cooling, the energy requirements for
solution regeneration and continuous circulation often exceed those of
traditional vapor-compression systems. The crystallization tendency of
concentrated NH4NO3 solutions at lower temperatures creates operational
complications, requiring sophisticated control systems to maintain optimal
concentration levels and prevent system blockages.”
There are also safety and
environmental challenges. Ammonium nitrate salts are dangerous, potentially
explosive, and have a high oxidizing potential, which makes storage and
handling risky. Environmental concerns include nitrogen compound releases and
potential groundwater contamination.
These systems currently have
a low penetration rate and are mainly used for backup and in specialized
chemical processing industries.
“The technology faces significant competition from
established alternatives including ammonia-based systems, CO2 cooling, and
advanced vapor-compression technologies that offer better economic profiles and
regulatory acceptance.”
Ammonium nitrate cooling
systems are endothermic, which means they are based on chemical reactions that
absorb heat, resulting in cooling. They absorb heat when dissolved in water,
cooling the water.
According to BGR:
“Scientists from the King Abdullah University of Science
and Technology have discovered a method that does precisely that, using
ammonium nitrate to empower efficient cooling. They're calling it Nescod (No
Electricity and Sustainable Cooling on Demand).”
This research was conducted
and reported in a paper in the journal Energy & Environmental
Science in 2022.
In the NESCOD system, after
the salt dissolves and absorbs heat, connected solar panels can be used to
evaporate the water and reprecipitate the salt for reuse. No external
electricity is needed. The evaporated water can be collected via solar
distillation and recycled back into the cooling system.
“The researchers state, "NESCOD represents a fully
renewable energy-driven, green cooling technology without electricity
consumption, which is urgently desired in our fight against global
warming." It's especially suitable for low-income and off-grid
communities, and "has the potential to make a meaningful contribution to
achieving universal SDGs by 2030."
According to an article in
Daily Galaxy, the experiments overcame the problem of salt crusts forming on
the solar regenerator:
“The regenerator used different areas for absorbing
sunlight and forming crystals. Its bottom acted as the light-absorbing surface,
while the outer section provided space for evaporation and crystallization.”
“Salt buildup soon became a problem. In early tests,
ammonium nitrate formed a dense crust on the regenerator. That layer restricted
the movement of fresh solution toward the surface, which slowed evaporation.”
“The researchers changed the setup to reduce the
buildup. They added sodium 4-vinylbenzenesulfonate, or SVBS, to alter the way
the crystals formed. They also incorporated a PTFE film into part of the device
after salt began moving toward areas where it could interfere with incoming
sunlight.”
“With the revised design, the researchers recorded an
evaporation rate of about 2.2 kilograms of water per square metre per hour. The
corresponding rate of salt recovery reached about 4.6 kilograms per square
metre per hour under one-sun illumination.”
“That regeneration rate was used to calculate cooling
power of up to 191 W/m². The calculation was based on an ambient temperature of
35°C and a final solution temperature of 25°C.”
“The team also collected water during regeneration.
Water vapour leaving the salt solution was condensed, and measurements of ion
concentration and total organic carbon were below 1 part per million.”
To summarize, the NESCOD
system involves two separate processes: cooling and solar regeneration. They
can be in different locations. Solar regeneration can happen on a roof of a
building while cooling happens inside the building.
References:
Say
goodbye to traditional cooling: This salt-based system is turning heads without
using electricity. Arezki Amiri. Daily Galaxy. August 13, 2026. Say goodbye to traditional cooling:
This salt-based system is turning heads without using electricity
Conversion
and storage of solar energy for cooling. Wenbin Wang, Yusuf Shi, Chenlin Zhang,
Renyuan Li, Mengchun Wu, Sifei Zhuo, Sara Aleid, and Peng Wang. Energy &
Environmental Science. (2022) 15 (1): 136–145. Conversion and storage of solar
energy for cooling† | Energy & Environmental Science | The Royal Society of
Chemistry
Not A
Fan, Not AC: This Cheap Cooling System Works Without Using Electricity. Briley
Kenney. BGR. April 29, 2026. Not A Fan, Not AC: This Cheap Cooling
System Works Without Using Electricity
Ammonium
Nitrate in Industrial Cooling Systems: Use Cases. Eureka by Patsnap. March 5,
2026. Ammonium Nitrate in Industrial
Cooling Systems: Use Cases
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