Category: Technology

The different flame velocities of reactants in the combustion space of a secondary reformer have a significant impact on the gas inlet temperature of the catalyst and the methane conversion in front of the catalyst. Based on this fact, Hanno Tautz Engineering introduces an alternative secondary reformer design. Compared with the state-of-the-art-technology, the alternative design shows advantages for hydrogen production efficiency and product capacity.

BASF has filed a patent application for a greenhouse gas-free method for producing methanol. If successful on a large-scale, the process could eliminate carbon dioxide emissions throughout the entire production process from synthesis gas generation to pure methanol.

Leading nitrogen and phosphate producers, including ICL, OCP and Yara, have all launched major sustainable fertilizer production projects. The aim is to incorporate recovered nutrients or low-carbon feedstocks into their manufacturing processes.

James Byrd of JESA Technologies (Worley, formerly Jacobs), Florida, looks at upcoming innovations in di-hydrate (DH) phosphoric acid plants for the 2020s.

Technical discussions on urea plant issues and operating problems, sharing experiences, providing advice and solutions. This compilation series covers Problem No. 1 to Problem No. 50.

Most urea plants operate a two-stage evaporator section. Both stages operate under vacuum pressure conditions and both pressures and temperatures are critical to achieve the right urea product quality. It is not always easy to determine the exact cause of non-optimum values for certain process parameters like, for example, low vacuum pressure in the second stage evaporator. Many factors can influence this vacuum pressure as discussed below.

The CO2 compressor of the urea plant is an expensive piece of critical rotating equipment installed without any spare posi­tion. Its reliability is therefore of prime importance. Sometimes reverse rotation occurs which can damage the internals of the compressor. What are the causes and what are the remedies to avoid reverse rotation of the CO2 compressor? There is a lot of misunderstanding around this subject. Here we share the experiences of various end users.

There is a lot of misunderstanding about the purpose and functioning of the seal systems (stuffing box) of the high pressure (HP) ammonia and HP carbamate reciprocating pumps. Some believe that lubrication is the main purpose, while others feel it is all about sealing. Both views are partly true. This article features experiences from various end users.

This discussion is about the risks of active corrosion or failure of passivation during a blocking-in situation of the high pressure synthesis section of the urea plant. It touches on many aspects searching for a possible cause of active corrosion during such a situation. The final outcome is of significant importance for all urea plants worldwide.