Scribd
Upload
4 views5 pages

Chapter No 1

The document discusses the historical significance of hydrogen recovery from ammonia production, highlighting the Haber-Bosch process and the need for sustainable hydrogen production methods. It outlines the economic justification for hydrogen recovery systems in ammonia plants, emphasizing cost efficiency, sustainability goals, and market demand. The primary objective is to design a system that recycles 69% of hydrogen from purge streams, enhancing operational efficiency and supporting a zero-carbon economy.

Uploaded by

wajih9864
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
4 views5 pages

Chapter No 1

The document discusses the historical significance of hydrogen recovery from ammonia production, highlighting the Haber-Bosch process and the need for sustainable hydrogen production methods. It outlines the economic justification for hydrogen recovery systems in ammonia plants, emphasizing cost efficiency, sustainability goals, and market demand. The primary objective is to design a system that recycles 69% of hydrogen from purge streams, enhancing operational efficiency and supporting a zero-carbon economy.

Uploaded by

wajih9864
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Background History of Hydrogen Recovery from Ammonia

Production:

The synthesis of ammonia gained significant importance with the advent of the
Haber-Bosch process in the early 20th century. Originally devised for the mass
production of ammonia used in fertilizers, this method depends on the chemical
reaction between hydrogen and nitrogen at high temperatures and pressures.
Despite its effectiveness, the conversion process is not entirely efficient, requiring
the removal of inert gases like methane and argon that build up within the system
through a purge stream. Natural gas reforming is mainly driven source of hydrogen
for this process. However, as environmental concerns have intensified, alternative
hydrogen production methods have begun to take center stage. Hydrogen, which is
seen as a highly promising clean energy carrier, does not naturally exist in
abundance in its molecular form. Instead, it is commonly found bonded with other
elements, such as oxygen in water (H2O) or carbon in hydrocarbons. To truly
harness its potential as a sustainable energy source, hydrogen must be produced
using renewable feedstocks and powered by clean energy, ensuring minimal or zero
carbon emissions—a key requirement for achieving a zero-carbon economy.
https://ammoniaknowhow.com/short-history-of-ammonia-process-past-present-and-
future/

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fammoniaknowhow.com
%2Fshort-history-of-ammonia-process-past-present-and-future
%2F&psig=AOvVaw2AS6joVao5ZoWeMlxZ4fuq&ust=1727719590770000&source=i
mages&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCPDUrZff6IgDFQAAAAAdAAA
AABAE

Project Justification Based on Economic Coordination Committee


(EEC):
Recovering hydrogen in ammonia plants offers several key advantages, particularly
in terms of operational savings and resource optimization. As per EEC we import
urea about 157,000 metrics tons per year and with amount figure of 18 billion
approximately. Recover hydrogen used as fuel in furnace for enhancing ammonia
production
1. Cost Efficiency: Integrating hydrogen recovery systems can drastically
lower feedstock costs, which are a major component of overall production
expenses. For example, technologies like VaporSep-H2™ enable the capture
of over 80% of purge gas hydrogen, boosting ammonia output without
requiring additional feed gas.
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/se/c9se01111k
2. Sustainability Goals: The push for more sustainable industrial methods,
backed by organizations like the EEC, is another driver. By reclaiming
hydrogen, ammonia plants can cut down on waste and reduce the carbon
emissions tied to hydrogen production from fossil fuels.
3. Market Demand: As global demand for hydrogen continues to rise—fueled
by decarbonization efforts in various industries—this initiative positions the
ammonia plant to tap into future markets while improving its economic
viability.

Primary Objective
The core aim of this project is to design and implement a hydrogen recovery system
capable of recycling 69% of the hydrogen from the purge stream of an ammonia
production facility with a capacity of 1,700 metric tons per day (MTPD). To achieve
this, the project will focus on:
 System Design: Developing a durable, well-integrated system that
seamlessly aligns with the current ammonia production processes.
 Performance Metrics: Ensuring the recovery system not only meets the
69% target but also maintains a high level of hydrogen purity.
 Economic Analysis: Carrying out a thorough techno-economic analysis to
assess potential cost savings and calculate the return on investment that the
system would offer.
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/se/c9se01111k

Capacity and Site Location for This Process

1.Capacity Considerations:
 The facility must be designed to handle a substantial amount of purge gas
while achieving a recovery rate of 69%.
 The infrastructure needs to support high-pressure processes typically seen
in ammonia synthesis.

https://www.mtrinc.com/refinery-and-syngas/hydrogen-recovery-from-
ammonia-plant-purge-gas/

BASIC CAPCITY CALCULATIONS


The Haber-Bosch process synthesizes ammonia (NH₃) from nitrogen (N₂) and
hydrogen (H₂) as follows:
N2+3H2→2NH3N2+3H2→2NH3
From this reaction, we can deduce that:
 1 mole of N₂ reacts with 3 moles of H₂ to produce 2 moles of NH₃.
For an ammonia production plant with a capacity of 1700 metric tons per day
(MTPD), we aim to recover 69% of the hydrogen from the purge stream.
Key Calculations:
Daily Ammonia Production:
1700 MTPD equals 1.7 million grams per day.
Moles of Ammonia Produced:
Moles of NH3=1.7×106 g17 g/mol=100,000 mol/dayMoles of NH3=17 g/mol1.7×10
6 g=100,000 mol/day
Hydrogen Requirement:
Moles of H2=100,000 mol×32=150,000 mol/dayMoles of H2=100,000 mol×23
=150,000 mol/day
Grams of H2=150,000 mol×2 g/mol=300,000 g/day=300 kg/dayGrams of H2
=150,000 mol×2 g/mol=300,000 g/day=300 kg/day
Hydrogen Recovery Calculation:
Assuming a 10% hydrogen loss in the purge stream:
 Total hydrogen loss:
300,000 g/day1−0.10=333,333.33 g/day1−0.10300,000 g/day=333,333.33 g
/day
 Target hydrogen recovery (69%):
333,333.33 g/day×0.69=230,000 g/day≈230 kg/day333,333.33 g/day×0.69=
230,000 g/day≈230 kg/day

Conclusion:
To support the production of 1700 MTPD of ammonia, approximately 230 kg of
hydrogen can be recovered daily from the purge stream. This improves operational
efficiency and helps reduce costs
Key Site Location Factors:
1.Proximity to raw material sources:
It's important to be close to natural gas supplies, which are essential for the
reforming process. Additionally, easy access to transportation routes is crucial for
the efficient distribution of ammonia.
2.Access to utilities:
Reliable availability of water and electricity is critical, not only for ammonia
production but also for supporting hydrogen recovery operations.
https://patents.google.com/patent/US4180553A/en

Applications of Hydrogen Recovery from Ammonia Production

On-site production:
Hydrogen can be sourced sustainably for refueling stations by breaking down
ammonia.
Cost-effective: Producing hydrogen from ammonia proves to be a more
economical method than alternatives.
Improved Ammonia Production
Efficiency gain: Systems designed to recover hydrogen from purge gases can
reclaim over 80%, boosting ammonia output by 4-5% without needing more
feedstock.
Energy Transition and Sustainability
Ammonia cracking: Recovered hydrogen plays a role in ammonia cracking
processes, contributing to cleaner energy solutions and offering more flexibility in
energy supply chains.
Industrial Applications Chemical manufacturing: The reclaimed hydrogen can
support various chemical manufacturing processes, cutting costs and improving
efficiency by reducing the need for newly sourced hydrogen.
https://royalsociety.org/-/media/policy/projects/climate-change-science-solutions/
climate-science-solutions-hydrogen-ammonia.pdf

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy