By-Product Formation in Ammonia Plants

Keywords: By-products, side reactions, HDS, reformers, shift, methanation

The paper describes various by-products that can be formed; indicates plant operating modes which are likely to lead to or exacerbate by-product formation and comments on the consequences of by-product formation. By-products can be formed and side reactions can occur in many parts of an ammonia plant.

The paper describes several reactions which can occur across hydro-desulphurisation catalysts, hydrogen sulphide adsorbent, reforming

catalyst, water gas shift catalysts and methanation catalyst.

By-products of by-products, such as amines and ammonium salts are also addressed.

Plant operating modes which are likely to lead to or exacerbate by-product formation are discussed and the consequences of by-product formation are described.

John D Pach, Johnson Matthey Catalysts, PO Box 1, Belasis Avenue, Billingham, Cleveland, TS23 1LB, UK.

27 pages, 9 figures, 5 tables, 16 references.