Process Description
Aammonia Cracking is one of the most economical way for on-site generation of hydrogen gas for industrial purposes. For this process, the temperature of 850 degree C is maintained in the electrically heated furnace. A centrifugal cast retort is installed in the center of this furnace. This furnace is filled with nickel catalyst. At this stage, the ammonia cracking units takes place in presence of nickel catalyst. The process separates its vital element into 75 % hydrogen and 25% nitrogen gas at dew point of (-)30 degree C. In fact, nitrogen gas is generally inert. This mixture is treated as pure hydrogen gas. Ammonia crackers becomes the most economical, trusted, tried and dependable source of on-site hydrogen generation for many small and large industries.
A molecular sieve purifier is used after ammonia cracking units for reducing residual ammonia content and to get very dry gas. This reduces ammonia down to 1-ppm level and dries gas up to (-) 80°C dew point.
| Gas Composition | ||
| Products | Without Molecular Sieves Purifier | With Molecular Sieves Purifier |
| Hydrogen | 75% | 75% |
| Nitrogen | 25% | 25% |
| Oxygen | Nil | Nil |
| Residual Ammonia | 100-ppm(max) | 1-ppm (max) |
| Dew Point | (-) 30°C | Up to (-)80°C |
Application of Ammonia
Ammonia or NH3 has widespread use in many industrial as well as other sectors and is one of the most highly produced chemicals globally. In fact, the major uses are in industrial refrigeration systems, as well as in fertilizer, explosives and chemicals production. Ammonia also plays a vital role in agriculture and live-stock farming and is generated in catalyzed combustion processes in heat & power generation.
Natural ammonia levels in the atmosphere are in the low range. Ammonia is toxic to humans so needs an effective detection solution in most industrial environments. Various applications of ammonia crackers are in :
- Refrigeration
- Chemical Industry
- Medical Applications
- Agriculture & Livestock Farming etc.