Chapters authored
Refractories for Ammonia Production in Fertilizer Unit
Apart from being used as a fuel, natural gas is used extensively for production of ammonia-based fertilizers. During the process of ammonia production natural gas is steam reformed for the production of Hydrogen and the same is converted into Ammonia, by Haber’s process, using nitrogen from air. Refractories are required for reformer lining since they are operated at high temperatures as well as in corrosive gas, primarily Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen, environment. The refractories selected for reformer, thus, should resist the reformer operating temperature as well as the aforementioned gases. Owing to the presence of steam in the working environment magnesia and lime-based basic refractories cannot be used owing to their hydration tendency and thus, aluminosilicate refractories are the only choice. The effect of H2 and CO on aluminosilicate refractory is the primary focus of this paper. The main concerns are the reduction of siliceous components of the refractory by hydrogen and carbon deposition due to Carbon monoxide decomposition by Boudouard reaction. The effect of these gases on aluminosilicate refractories have been reviewed and based on the outcome suitable refractories have been recommended for ammonia production.
Part of the book: Clean Energy Technologies