Ammonia has emerged as a promising hydrogen carrier with applications as an energy source in recent years. However, in addition to being toxic, gaseous ammonia is a precursor of secondary inorganic aerosols. The conce...Ammonia has emerged as a promising hydrogen carrier with applications as an energy source in recent years. However, in addition to being toxic, gaseous ammonia is a precursor of secondary inorganic aerosols. The concentration of ambient fine particulate matter （PM2.5） is intrinsically connected to public health. In this study, PM2.5-related health impacts of utilizing ammonia-hydrogen energy in Kanto Region, Japan, were investigated. It was assumed that 20% of the electricity consumption in Kanto Region, the most populated area in Japan, was supplied by mnmonia-hydrogen energy. The PM2.5 resulted from incomplete ammonia decomposition was simulated by a chemical transport model： ADMER-PRO （modified version）. Based on the incremental PM2.5 concentration, health impacts on the elderly （individuals over 65 years old） were quantitatively evaluated. The ammonia emission in this scenario increased PM2 s by 11.7% （0.16 μg·m-3.y-1） in winter and 3.5% （0.08 μg · m-3.y-1） in summer, resulting in 351 premature deaths per year. This study suggests that cost- effective emissions control or treatment and appropriate land planning should be considered to reduce the associated health impacts of this type of energy generation. In addition, further in-depth research, including cost-benefit analysis and security standards, is needed.展开更多
文摘Ammonia has emerged as a promising hydrogen carrier with applications as an energy source in recent years. However, in addition to being toxic, gaseous ammonia is a precursor of secondary inorganic aerosols. The concentration of ambient fine particulate matter （PM2.5） is intrinsically connected to public health. In this study, PM2.5-related health impacts of utilizing ammonia-hydrogen energy in Kanto Region, Japan, were investigated. It was assumed that 20% of the electricity consumption in Kanto Region, the most populated area in Japan, was supplied by mnmonia-hydrogen energy. The PM2.5 resulted from incomplete ammonia decomposition was simulated by a chemical transport model： ADMER-PRO （modified version）. Based on the incremental PM2.5 concentration, health impacts on the elderly （individuals over 65 years old） were quantitatively evaluated. The ammonia emission in this scenario increased PM2 s by 11.7% （0.16 μg·m-3.y-1） in winter and 3.5% （0.08 μg · m-3.y-1） in summer, resulting in 351 premature deaths per year. This study suggests that cost- effective emissions control or treatment and appropriate land planning should be considered to reduce the associated health impacts of this type of energy generation. In addition, further in-depth research, including cost-benefit analysis and security standards, is needed.
