Author(s)

J. Ruddock, T. D. Short & K. Brudenell

Abstract

Since its introduction by Haber and Bosch in the early twentieth century, the catalytic synthesis of ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen has become one of the worlds most important chemical manufacturing processes. Unfortunately, the process requires the use of significant amounts of energy, the European Fertilizer Manufacturers Association giving total average energy use per tonne of ammonia produced in 2000 as 37.4 GJ, EFMA [I]. If 1500 tonnes of ammonia per day is taken to be a typical plant output this represents an average power requirement of 649 MW. It is the reduction of this energy input that is currently being addressed by research at the University of Durham and Terra Nitrogen (UK) Ltd. The paper will concentrate on the major processes that go to make up the industrial ammonia synthesis process as a whole

Keywords