Innovative catalyst systems from Heraeus and Łukasiewicz Research Network – New Chemical Syntheses Institute contribute to reach climate goals by reducing N2 O emissions during nitric acid production. Dr Uwe Jantsch and Jens Hesse of Heraeus Precious Metals report on the process performance results achieved for N2 O reduction in nitric acid production using FTC gauze systems and iron oxide based secondary catalysts.
Stefano Cicchinelli and Carmen Perez of Stamicarbon (MAIRE) explore the latest advancements in tertiary abatement technologies, their implementation in nitric acid plants, and the implications for the fertilizer industry.
TOYO has recently introduced new proprietary urea technologies to its technology portfolio including a novel dust scrubbing system with integrated wet electrostatic precipitator (WESP) for ultimate clean-up of granulation or prilling exhaust air, to achieve urea dust emissions of less than 5 mg/Nm3 . Takuhiro Minato of Toyo Engineering Corporation explains how the new system works.
While the events of the past few years have been difficult for Europe on many fronts, including a wholesale realignment of its energy sources with the restriction of access to Russian oil and gas, the effect on Europe’s sulphur production seems likely to be just as profound.
A plant operating a spent acid decomposition furnace as part of its sulphuric acid production facility desired to increase acid production primarily by processing additional spent acid while making minimal modifications to the plant equipment and operations. The Messer solution entailed introducing oxygen in two steps, both as an enrichment to the combustion air and by direct injection into the furnace. The resulting performance improvements exceeded the project objectives for acid production and spent acid decomposition, without increasing NOx emissions. This paper provides a summary of the system start-up and tuning and presents the resulting improvements and lessons learned.
Sulphur plays an important role in crop nutrition. Indeed, sulphur is increasingly being recognised as the fourth major crop nutrient alongside N, P and K. However, a combination of intensive agricultural practices, increasing application of high-analysis fertilizers and tighter air quality regulations has led to increasing sulphur deficiency in soils. In this insight article, CRU’s Peter Harrisson looks at what’s driving sulphur deficiency and whether there’s a gap in the market for sulphur fertilizers.
To comply with environmental legislations, all new and most existing nitric acid plants must implement measures to reduce N2 O emissions to the atmosphere. This article explores the opportunities presented by Stamicarbon’s tertiary abatement technology for both existing and grassroots nitric acid plants to enhance sustainability and efficiency and discover the advantages of incorporating these technologies into a green fertilizer complex.
Cobalt-molybdenum (CoMo) catalysts are integral components of tail gas units (TGUs), playing a vital role in reducing harmful sulphur dioxide (SO2 ) emissions arising from Claus sulphur recovery units. Effective activation of these catalysts is essential for their optimal performance. The consequence of sulphiding at low temperatures and atmospheric pressure in low temperature TGUs is to compromise effectiveness of catalyst activation. In the final part of this two-part article, Michael Huffmaster , Consultant, presents case study results using a discrete reactor model incorporating heat, mass transfer, and activation reaction kinetics to assess the impacts of these variables on in-bed temperature profile and activation effectiveness. Tailoring gas rate, composition, and temperature progression can achieve in-bed exotherms which improve CoMo catalyst activation effectiveness for low temperature tail gas units.
More than 155 attendees, representing more than 68 companies gathered in Mumbai, India, from January 31 to February 2, 2024 for the annual SulGas® conference, organised by Three Ten Initiative Technologies LLP. We report on the key highlights of the event.
M. Rameshni and S. Santo of Rameshni & Associates Technology & Engineering (RATE USA) discuss some of the many solutions available to revamp sulphur plants to meet stricter environmental regulations with regard to SO2 and CO2 emissions. RATE technologies for the ultimate goal of achieving near zero SO2 emissions and World Bank requirements are also illustrated.