Large Volume Inorganic Chemicals - Ammonia ... - ammk-rks.net

Chapter 22.4.21 Hydrogen recovery from the purge gas of the ammoniasynthesis loopDescriptionA continuous purge gas stream has to be withdrawn to remove inerts from the ammoniasynthesis loop. In older designs, this extracted purge gas was usually added directly or afterwater scrubbing to the reformer fuel. As a consequence, the intrinsic heating value of the gaswas used but the additional energy to generate and purify the hydrogen was lost. In more recentdesigns, the hydrogen is recovered from this purge gas and recycled to the synthesis loop.This hydrogen recovery can be performed using different technologies, such as cryogenicseparation, membrane technology or pressure swing adsorption (PSA).Achieved environmental benefits• energy savings.Cross-media effectsNone believed likely.Operational dataNo information provided.ApplicabilityThis is a technique applicable to new and existing high pressure synthesis loop steam reformingplants.EconomicsCost benefits can be assumed.Driving force for implementationCost benefits.References to literature and example plants[3, European Commission, 1997]Large Volume Inorganic Chemicals – Ammonia, Acids and Fertilisers 85