In nitric acid production process improvement of ammonia oxidation reactor and analysis with CFD

Today, an energy efficiency strategy that covers goals such as mitigating energy costs, ensuring energy supply security, reducing risks arising from external dependence, and protecting the environment is of great importance. One of the main energy recovery or energy efficiency studies is to improve the thermal performance of the total system by utilizing waste heat exergy. Nitric acid production involves the catalytic oxidation of ammonia with air in the reactor, followed by oxidation to nitrogen dioxide and absorption in water. In this study, the parameters that will increase the energy efficiency of the facility, primarily the oxidation reactor, in a nitric acid production facility that produces chemical fertilizer, were examined. In this nitric acid production facility, which produces 610 tons/day of capacity as 100% HNO3 and 33 tons/h of superheated steam with 56% diluted nitric acid; Processes with high energy consumption have been identified and the aim is to reduce consumption values. Energy efficiency was focused on as a solution alternative to reduce consumption. The ammonia oxidation reactor, which is the heart of the nitric acid production facility, was examined considering the operation and design criteria. To this end; First, the operating values of the reactor area before and after the revision were compared, and then the flow characteristics and parameters of the reactor were numerically examined by modeling with the ANSYS Fluent program to improve the flow process in the reactor.