Synthetic ammonia process

• US 4,906,447 A
• Filed: 02/12/1988
• Issued: 03/06/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eugene F. Schwarzenbek
• Original Assignee: Eugene F. Schwarzenbek
• Inventors: Schwarzenbek, Eugene F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Doll, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Langel, Wayne A.
• Application Number:
  US07/155,275
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 423/238, 423/359, 423/361, 423/362, 423/363, 423/358
• US Class Current: 423/358
• CPC Class Codes: C01C 1/0405 from N2 and H2 in presence of a catalyst
• CPC Class Codes: C01C 1/0458 Separation of NH3 during purge gas treatment C01C1/0476
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/52 using catalysts, e.g. selective catalysts

Abstract

The synthesis of ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen is carried out in a process scheme in which a liquid material is provided to react with ammonia to form an ammine to either improve the method of recovery of ammonia from a product gas stream or to upset the thermodynamic equilibrium of the H₂ --N₂ --NH₃ system so that higher first pass conversion of the reactant gas to ammonia can be accomplished. As a result of this invention the horsepower of the synthesis gas compressor, the catalyst inventory, the operating temperature, and the operating pressure, or combinations of these factors, are reduced, having the effect of decreasing equipment and operating costs. In addition, the liquid ammine product is decomposed under conditions that allow the recovery of the ammonia as a liquid product by heat exchange with cooling water. This markedly reduces refrigeration horsepower requirements.

Claims

1. The processing of an ammonia containing gas by contacting the gas with an anhydrous liquid material that reacts with ammonia at a pressure of about 10 to 500 atmospheres and a temperature of about 300°

to 1000°

F. to form an ammine, subsequently decomposing the liquid ammine at a pressure of about 1 to 50 atmospheres and a temperature of about 500°

to 1500°

F. to recover the anhydrous ammonia product, and recycling the decomposed ammine to the absorption step.

2. Process of claim 1 in which the anhydrous liquid reacting material is an inorganic salt.

3. Process of claim 1 in which the anhydrous liquid reacting material is an inorganic ammine.

4. Process of claim 1 in which the anhydrous liquid reacting material is a metal organic salt.

5. Process of claim 1 in which the anhydrous liquid reacting material is a metal organic ammine.

6. A process for the production of synthetic ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen in which the synthesis gas flows through a series of catalyst beds, the exit gas from each bed flowing to its respective absorber in which the ammonia is reacted with an anhydrous liquid material at a pressure of about 10 to 500 atmospheres and a temperature of about 300°

to 1000°

F. to form an ammine, the gas then flowing to the next catalyst bed for further reaction, the liquid ammine from each absorber being decomposed at a pressure of about 1 to 50 atmospheres and a temperature of about 500°

to 1500°

F. to recover the anhydrous ammonia product, the decomposed liquid ammine being returned to the absorbers, the exit gas from the final absorber being cooled, combined with makeup synthesis gas and recycled to the first catalyst bed.

7. Process of claim 6 in which the anhydrous liquid reacting material is an inorganic salt.

8. Process of claim 6 in which the anhydrous liquid reacting material is an inorganic ammine.

9. Process of claim 6 in which the anhydrous liquid reacting material is a metal organic salt.

10. Process of claim 6 in which the anhydrous liquid reacting material is a metal organic ammine.

11. A process for the production of synthetic ammonia from a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen in which the synthesis gas flows through a bed of ammonia synthesis catalyst suspended in an anhydrous liquid material which reacts with the ammonia as produced at a pressure of about 10 to 500 atmospheres and a temperature of about 300°

to 1000°

F. to form a liquid ammine whereby conversion in excess of 90 percent of the synthesis gas can be accomplished, the liquid ammine being continuously withdrawn, decomposed at a pressure of 1 to 50 atmospheres and a temperature of 500°

to 1500°

F. to recover anhydrous ammonia product, and recycled to the reaction vessel.

12. Process of claim 11 in which the anhydrous liquid reacting material is an inorganic salt.

13. Process of claim 11 in which the anhydrous liquid reacting material is an inorganic ammine.

14. Process of claim 11 in which the anhydrous liquid reacting material is a metal organic salt.

15. Process of claim 11 in which the anhydrous liquid reacting material is a metal organic ammine.