Patent ID: 9199849
Filing Date: 2015-12-01
Classification: C01B

Abstract:
1. A method for producing nitric acid comprising: providing a non-explosive gaseous oxidiser feed to a reactor, the non-explosive gaseous oxidiser feed comprising ammonia, steam and an oxidising gas; in the reactor, oxidising the ammonia of the non-explosive gaseous oxidiser feed to produce a reaction mixture comprising nitrogen monoxide and water vapor; providing the reaction mixture to a heat exchanger; and in the heat exchanger, cooling the reaction mixture and (i) oxidising the nitrogen monoxide to produce one or more oxidation products, (ii) condensing the water vapor to liquid water, and (iii) reacting the one or more oxidation products with the liquid water and (iv) absorbing the one or more oxidation products into the liquid water to form nitric acid at a concentration that is from 20% to 40% on a weight basis (w/w), wherein the non-explosive gaseous oxidiser feed has an excess of oxidising gas in an amount that is sufficient to convert greater than 95% of the nitrogen monoxide in the reaction mixture to nitric acid.