Patent US4056603A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4056603A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process for increasing ammonia production
Assignee: Bresler and Associates Inc
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Filing: 1976-06-14
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Granted: 1977-11-01
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Expires: 1996-06-14
Abstract
Abstract Ammonia is synthesized from a hydrogen and nitrogen mixture containing small concentrations of inert contaminants such as argon, methane, etc. Gases dissolved in the ammonia product normally vented and discharged from the synthesis system are returned to the synthesis loop without removal of the inert contaminants. By so doing, despite the fact that the concentration of inert gases in the synthesis loop is increased, and the concentration of ammonia in the gas mixture leaving the synthesis converter is decreased, nevertheless the total amount of ammonia produced from a given quantity of hydrogen and nitrogen is increased.
Inventors
- 👤 Sidney A. Bresler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:03
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01C; C01C1/00; C01C1/02; C01C1/04; C01C1/0405; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/50; Y02P20/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A process for the synthesis of ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen, at least one of which is contaminated with at least one inert gas selected from the group consisting of argon and methane, which consists essentially of the following sequence: contacting said hydrogen and nitrogen, together with recycled mixtures (C) and (E), described below, in a converter with an ammonia synthesis catalyst at elevated temperature and elevated pressure to form a gaseous reaction mixture (A) containing ammonia, unreacted hydrogen, unreacted nitrogen and inert gas contaminant, cooling said gaseous reaction mixture (A) and separating therefrom a liquid ammonia product (B) containing a portion of the unreacted hydrogen, unreacted nitrogen and inert gas contaminant therein, recycling the gaseous remainder (C) of said gaseous reaction mixture (A) to said converter, reducing the pressure of said liquid ammonia product (B) and separating therefrom liquid ammonia (D) and a gaseous mixture (E) containing unreacted hydrogen, unreacted nitrogen, ammonia and inert gas contaminant, and recycling a substantial portion of said gaseous mixture (E) without removing therefrom said inert gas contaminant to said converter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A process for the synthesis of ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen, at least one of which is contaminated with at least one inert gas selected from the group consisting of argon and methane, which consists essentially of the following sequence: contacting said hydrogen and nitrogen, together with recycled mixtures (C) and (E), described below, in a converter with an ammonia synthesis catalyst at elevated temperature and elevated pressure to form a gaseous reaction mixture (A) containing ammonia, unreacted hydrogen, unreacted nitrogen and inert gas contaminant, cooling said gaseous reaction mixture (A) and separating therefrom a liquid ammonia product (B) containing a portion of the unreacted hydrogen, unreacted nitrogen and inert gas contaminant therein, recycling the gaseous remainder (C) of said gaseous reaction mixture (A) to said converter, reducing the pressure of said liquid ammonia product (B) and separating therefrom liquid ammonia (D) and a gaseous mixture (E) containing unreacted hydrogen, unreacted nitrogen, ammonia and inert gas contaminant, and recycling a substantial portion of said gaseous mixture (E) without removing therefrom said inert gas contaminant to said converter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the temperature of said gaseous mixture of (E) and (C) together with the initial hydrogen and nitrogen charge gas is reduced, ammonia therein is removed as a liquid, and then the remainder of said combined gaseous mixture is conveyed to the ammonia synthesis converter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1, wherein at least about fifty percent by volume of said gaseous mixture (E) is recycled to said converter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the temperature of said gaseous mixture (E) is reduced, a substantial portion of the ammonia therein is removed as a liquid, and the remainder of said gaseous mixture (E) containing said inert gas contaminant is recycled to said converter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said gaseous mixture (E) containing said inert gas contaminant is compressed before being recycled to said converter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1, wherein from about 50 to about 100 percent by volume of said gaseous mixture (E) is recycled to said converter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-10-31 | 1981-05-02 | 1981-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-31 | 1985-05-02 | 1985-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-31 | 1989-05-02 | 1989-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |