Abstract

An ammonia synthesis process and apparatus are provided which are energy efficient and minimize greenhouse-gas-emission during the processing of natural gas and air. In the process a strem of natural gas is divided into two streams, one of which is mixed with air and ignited to provide heat for the thermal decomposition of natural gas nto hydrogen and carbon and also to provide deoxygenated nitrogen for an ammonia synthesis process. The process essentially prepares hydrogen and nitrogen on a low average temperature side of the chemical reactor where they react to form ammonia. The formation of ammonia is exothermic, whereas the thermal decomposition of methane is endothermic and the combustion of methane to remove oxygen is also exothermic; the sum of the heats absorbed and released in these reactions is positive. Catalysts, and high temperatures are used to promote the thermal...

Document Type

Patent

Patent Number

US 6,986,870 B1

Application Serial Number

10/646,421

Issue Date

1-17-2006

Current Assignee

UCFRF

Assignee at Issuance

UCFRF

College

Florida Space Institute

Department

Florida Space Institute

Allowance Date

9-29-2005

Filing Date

8-21-2003

Assignee at Filing

UCFRF

Filing Type

Nonprovisional Application Record

Donated

no

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