Ammonia is well known for being a base ingredient for numerous chemical products and fertilizers. In recent years, amid growing emphasis on sustainability and decarbonization, ammonia has emerged as an energy source and an efficient energy storage and transportation medium. It offers significant logistical advantages over hydrogen, such as easier storage and transportation, positioning it as a practical carrier for hydrogen. It is also a decarbonized fuel for power generation and the marine industries.
The ammonia production process involves:
- Purification of feedstock
- Reforming
- Shift conversion
- Carbon dioxide conversion/removal
- Methanation
- Ammonia synthesis
Figure 1: Block diagram of Ammonia Production
Feed Preparation: Remove impurities and desulfurize feed stock
Steam Reforming: Produces hydrogen-rich synthesis gas (syngas)
Secondary Reforming: Syngas is mixed with preheated process air to provide nitrogen content for the ammonia synthesis reaction
Shift Conversion: Drive CO2 and H2 formation
Carbon Dioxide conversion & Removal: Yield high-purity hydrogen-nitrogen syngas
Methanization: Reduce the concentration of CO / CO2 from syngas by forming Methane with hydrogen
Ammonia Synthesis: Increase ammonia formation with increased pressure
Unconverted Gas Treatment: Purge to remove methane and inert gas while recovering hydrogen and nitrogen from ammonia vapor
Depending on the production methods of ammonia, it has been classified as Brown, Grey, Blue, and Green.
Figure 2: Grey, Brown, and Blue Ammonia
Table 1: Color of ammonia classification based on production methods and carbon footprint
Fisher™ Control Valve Application
Control valves are critical in the applications within the ammonia production process. Some applications are severe services that could cause challenges to the valve operation, impacting the process efficiency and may disrupt the production or even damage the equipment.
Figure 3: Control valves in ammonia production (Click to enlarge)
Issues like cavitation, high noise, and outgassing are common in severe service applications. Fisher is well known for solving these problems. The table below gives an overview of some severe services with the corresponding Fisher valve models to be considered.
Visit the Ammonia Production Solutions section on Emerson.com for more information about Fisher valve solutions to help you drive more efficient operations. If you need to solve a critical issue in your production or want to learn more about the ammonia production process, do not hesitate to contact Emerson.
