Nitric Acid Plant

Brief Overview
 

Capacity:

315 Tons/Day

Technology:

GRANDE PAROISE
 

Built:

1979 Operated for three months (Test run only)
 

Products Produced:

Nitric Acid 62%

Documentation:

Available
 

Major Equipment:

Process
- Dual Pressure

Pressure (Burner)
- 36 PSIG

Presure (Absorption)
- 102-110 PSIG

Steam Production
- 300 PSIG @ 400 C

NOX
- 106 PPM

Absorption Section
- Two columns

Compressor
- ELLIOT

Expander
- ELLIOT
 

Process Description

Ammonia Oxidation - at a pressure level of 34 to 29 PSIG.
Ammonia and air, free from dust and oil, are mixed. The mixture of air and ammonia is introduced in a burner and dispersed over the platinum alloy catalyst gauze.

The velocity of the air/ammonia mixture is such as it assures the necessary turbulence for obtaining the most complete diffusion of gases possible on the catalyst, and a sufficient contact time to favor the production of nitrogen oxide.

Ammonia oxidation makes nitrogen oxide in contact with catalyst gauzes. It has been proposed that the catalyst operates as follows:
- Surface absorption of oxygen by the catalyst.
- Catalytic reaction of ammonia, perhaps by the hydroxylamine stage, to form the imide radical NH on the catalyst surface.
- Molecular oxygen reaction with the imide to produce nitrogen oxide and water.