Case Study for Increasing of Reactor Pressure Drop in EnviNOx Unit
Dr. Mohamed Farouk
Dr. Mohamed holds the position of Nitric Acid sector Head, he is working in Abu Qir for more than 21 years, he holds a PhD in the development of the ammonia oxidation reactor at the Nitric Acid plant and to improve the efficiency of catalyst gauzes, responsible for operations and production plans.
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions have a direct impact on the environment as 1 ton of N2O equivalent to about 300 t CO2e, nitric acid production is one of the main sources for N2O emissions worldwide, N2O and NOx abatement units became a must in nitric acid production processes. A tertiary N2O/NOx Abatement Technology which is UHDE design (EnviNOx unit) was installed in 2006 in Dual Pressure Nitric Acid plant of Abu Qir Fertilizers Company in Egypt which have a production capacity of 1830 ton/day. An increase in ΔP of EnviNOx reactor was observed from 80 mbar up to 500 mbar which caused a negative impact on production yield, plant was stopped and catalyst leakage was observed from the bottom of reactor basket led to clog strainer below basket, catalyst degradation was the main reason, remedies were executed and catalyst was refilled.
