Nitric Acid

Summary

This video outlines the global production process of nitric acid, which totals about 60 million tons annually. The main uses are in ammonium nitrate fertilizers, explosives, and polymers for sports clothing. The process begins with the reaction of ammonia and air to form nitrogen monoxide, which is then oxidized into nitrogen dioxide and dinitrogen tetroxide. These gases are absorbed in water, producing nitric acid. The process is controlled remotely, and the final product is either used on-site or transported. Catalyst maintenance is crucial for efficiency, and the reaction is exothermic, producing heat for energy.

Takeaways

• 😀 About 60 million tons of nitric acid are produced annually worldwide.
• 😀 The primary use of nitric acid is in the production of ammonium nitrate fertilizer.
• 😀 Ammonium nitrate is also used in explosives.
• 😀 Nitric acid is used in manufacturing nylon and polymers for sports clothing and swimwear.
• 😀 The raw materials for nitric acid production are ammonia and air.
• 😀 In the converter, nitrogen monoxide is formed, which then reacts with air to produce nitrogen dioxide and dinitrogen tetroxide.
• 😀 The gases produced are absorbed in water to create nitric acid.
• 😀 Liquid ammonia is evaporated using heat from hot water produced later in the process.
• 😀 Air is compressed to a pressure of about 5 atmospheres and filtered to remove oil and dust that could poison the catalyst.
• 😀 The reaction in the converter produces heat, which is used to drive a generator.
• 😀 The production process is remotely monitored and controlled from a control room, with 50% of the nitric acid being used on-site and the rest transported by tanker.

Q & A

What is the primary use of nitric acid worldwide?

The primary use of nitric acid worldwide is to produce ammonium nitrate fertilizer.

What other significant application does ammonium nitrate have apart from being a fertilizer?

Ammonium nitrate is also used in explosives.

What are some of the products that involve nitric acid in their production?

Nitric acid is used in the production of nylon and polymers used in sports clothing and swimwear.

What are the raw materials used in the production of nitric acid?

The raw materials for producing nitric acid are ammonia and air.

What is produced first in the nitric acid production process?

In the converter, nitrogen monoxide is the first product formed in the nitric acid production process.

How does nitrogen monoxide react in the nitric acid production process?

Nitrogen monoxide reacts with more air to form a mixture of nitrogen dioxide and dinitrogen tetroxide.

How is the nitrogen dioxide and dinitrogen tetroxide mixture used in the production of nitric acid?

The nitrogen dioxide and dinitrogen tetroxide mixture is absorbed in water, producing nitric acid.

What role does the evaporator play in the nitric acid production plant?

The evaporator is where liquid ammonia is mixed with air and passed to the converter.

Why is the catalyst gauze in the ammonia burner changed regularly?

The catalyst gauze is changed every three to four months because it becomes poisoned, affecting its performance. It is then sent back to the manufacturer for recycling.

What happens to the nitrogen monoxide in the converter after the initial reaction?

The nitrogen monoxide is oxidized by excess oxygen, forming nitrogen dioxide and dinitrogen tetroxide in the converter.

How is the nitric acid concentration controlled in the absorption tower?

The gas stream rises through a series of slotted trays in the tower, while water runs down the tower, facilitating a reaction that produces an approximately 69% solution of nitric acid.

How is the production of nitric acid monitored?

The production process is monitored and controlled remotely from a control room.

What is the typical concentration of nitric acid required by most customers?

Most customers require nitric acid with a concentration of either 60% or 69%.