ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Energy Res.
Sec. Process and Energy Systems Engineering
Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fenrg.2025.1654095
Entropy production minimization in a tubular ammonia synthesis reactor: A mathematical optimization approach with variable geometry and heat flux control
Provisionally accepted
- 1University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- 2Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Trondheim, Norway
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Ammonia is one of the most widely produced chemicals worldwide and is increasingly considered a promising hydrogen carrier for energy storage. We propose a novel thermodynamic optimization strategy for tubular ammonia reactors based on second-law analysis and variable reactor geometry. Assuming thermal performance is already maximized through heat exchange, we explore how variations in reactor radius can further minimize entropy generation. Our steadystate mathematical model shows that geometry optimization alone can reduce total entropy production by 57% and pressure drop by 96%, without affecting ammonia yield or catalyst usage.Sensitivity analysis highlights the role of thermal boundary conditions on reactor performance.This study demonstrates that integrating geometric design with entropy minimization principles can significantly enhance the thermodynamic efficiency and sustainability of industrial chemical reactors.
Keywords: entropy production, Ammonia reactor, Haber-Bosch process, heat transfer, Geometric design
Received: 25 Jun 2025; Accepted: 30 Jul 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Mendoza, Quintero and Kjelstrup. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Signe Kjelstrup, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Trondheim, Norway
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