CIP System

The manufacturing of nitric acid for use in fertilizers, plastics, dyes, textiles, and other industrial products, has evolved to three industry-standard processes. They all produce acid with 60-68% concentration, and each uses essentially the same nitric acid plant design. The choice between medium- and high-pressure mono and dual-pressure production process often comes down to financial considerations and owner priorities. Nitric Acid Production Technology While nitric acid plant technology has made production more efficient and environmental controls more effective, the process remains the same: Ammonia combustion in the presence of hot air and a platinum/rhodium catalyst creates nitric oxide (NO). Oxidation of the NO creates nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The NO is cooled and compressed as it travels to the absorption tower. The cooling process creates nitrogen dioxide and produces heat, which is recycled for use in other plant operations. Absorption of the NO2 in wat

Manufacturers use synthesis gas, or “syngas” for fuel to produce electricity and as feedstock for production of industrial chemicals such as ammonia, methanol, and other hydrogen-rich compounds. Once isolated and purified, hydrogen from syngas is a major component in petrochemicals and oil refining. Syngas itself is a mixture primarily of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, created through the gasification of hydrocarbons in natural gas, coal, petroleum, biomass, and other feedstocks. Virtually all the hydrogen produced in the United States is produced from methane. And the cheapest, most available source of methane is natural gas. Steam Methane Reforming Steam methane reforming (SMR) accounts for about 95 percent of the industrial hydrogen produced domestically and about half the world’s production. The process begins with the introduction of superheated (1,300 to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit) steam and natural gas into an array of vertically hanging tubes filled wit

The main uses of formaldehyde are urea formaldehyde (UF) resin, used as a binder in particle board and medium density fiberboard (MDF); melamine formaldehyde (MF) resin, used in laminates; phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin, used as an insulation binder in laminates, and high-tech automobile and aviation applications; and rigid polyurethane (PU) foams, used in construction where superior insulating and mechanical properties are needed. Formaldehyde is primarily produced as a 37% aqueous solution, which makes trade costly, as there is less than two-fifths of formaldehyde per unit of liquid, thus increasing the amount of solution that needs to be delivered, which in turn increases transportation costs. Formaldehyde prices are set on a quarterly basis and track methanol feedstock. In Europe, formaldehyde is usually consumed locally. Polioli SpA was a major formaldehyde producer in Italy. During the past 45 years, Polioli developed its formaldehyde process reaching a very high level of e