{"id":722,"date":"2025-01-27T10:50:50","date_gmt":"2025-01-27T10:50:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.espindesa.es\/?page_id=722"},"modified":"2025-04-30T13:59:15","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T13:59:15","slug":"ammonium-nitrate-solution","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.espindesa.es\/en\/technologies\/ammonium-nitrate-solution\/","title":{"rendered":"Ammonium Nitrate Solution"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content_no_spaces&#8221;][vc_column]\n    <section class=\"tr-mod mod-cabecera_tercer_nivel padding-80 bg-full\" style=\"background: url(https:\/\/www.espindesa.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/06_ficha-ANS-2-1.jpg);\">\n      <div class=\"container\">\n        <a href=\"\/\">\n          <div class=\"go-back\">\n            <span>Go back<\/span>\n            <i class=\"tr-icon i-arrow-slim\"><\/i>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/a>\n        <div class=\"row\">\n          <div class=\"col-md-6\">\n          <div class=\"breadcrumbs\"><ul><li><span class=\"current\">Page<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n            <h1>\n              AMMONIUM NITRATE SOLUTION\n            <\/h1>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\t\n      <\/div>\n    <\/section>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1737025291657{margin-top: 50px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;]<section class=\"tr-mod mod-texto_titulo_pretitulo \">\n          <h3 class=\"pretitle\">\n                  Overview\n          <\/h3>\n          <h2>\n              Ammonium Nitrate (AN) Solution is widely used as feedstock for the production of fertilizers or civilian explosives, being able to be used directly in liquid form, or processing it further to obtain a solid product.\n          <\/h2>\n          <p>When selecting an ammonium nitrate solution plant there are a number of choices to be made:<\/p>\n<p>The first one would be the type of reactor, whether pipe reactor or recirculation reactor.<\/p>\n<p>The neutralization reaction pressure selection is of paramount impor- tance firstly to ensure a safe operation, as well as to maximize the reuse of the process steam produced in the neutralization stage, in order to improve the energy balance of the plant.<\/p>\n\n      <\/section>[\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;730&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<strong>In the last years the Industry demands giant plants and, in some cases, azeotropic concentration. Early in the 2000\u2019s ESPINDESA improved their dual pressure process featuring:<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;]\n      <section class=\"tr-mod mod-icono_texto \">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"icon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.espindesa.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/energia-sostenible.svg\">\n        <p>Acid concentrations ranging 60 to 68% (azeotropic)<\/p>\n      <\/section>\n      [\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;]\n      <section class=\"tr-mod mod-icono_texto \">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"icon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.espindesa.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/nitrogen.svg\">\n        <p>Low N20 and NOx tail gas emissions<\/p>\n      <\/section>\n      [\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;]\n      <section class=\"tr-mod mod-icono_texto \">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"icon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.espindesa.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/raw.svg\">\n        <p>Extremely efficient raw material and energy consumptions<\/p>\n      <\/section>\n      [\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;]\n      <section class=\"tr-mod mod-icono_texto \">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"icon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.espindesa.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/polution.svg\">\n        <p>Pollution prevention at start up and shutdown<\/p>\n      <\/section>\n      [\/vc_column][vc_column][vc_empty_space]\n        <section class=\"tr-mod mod-boton_descarga \">\n          <a class=\"d-flex align-items-center\" href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\">\n            <i class=\"tr-icon i-download\"><\/i>\n            <span>Download technical sheet<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n        <\/section>\n    [vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content_no_spaces&#8221;][vc_column][vc_empty_space]<section class=\"tr-mod mod-cita_pequena padding-80 bg-blue\">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"quotes\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/tr\/assets\/images\/comillas_light.png\" alt=\"Comillas\">\n          <p >\n            The well proven technology, as well as the Flexibility to adapt to client requirements, are the key advantages of the ESPINDESA process.\n          <\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/section>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space]\n    <section class=\"tr-mod mod-titulo_separador \">\n      <h4>\n        Process Description\n      <\/h4>\n    <\/section>[vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]The required quality of Ammonium Nitrate Solution can be obtained by means of ESPINDESA process.<\/p>\n<p>AMMONIUM NITRATE SOLUTION PROCESS DESCRIPTION<\/p>\n<p><strong>Neutralization Zone<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ammonia gas is mixed with nitric acid in a reactor, where the following reaction takes place:<\/p>\n<p>NH3\u00a0+ HNO3\u00a0 \u2192\u00a0 NH4NO3\u00a0+ Heat<\/p>\n<p>This neutralization reaction is done under a precise control of the ratio of each reactant, in order to achieve the optimum performance in the reactor, by performing a perfect mixing of the reactants and ensuring a safe operation.<\/p>\n<p>This neutralization is an exothermic reaction that produces a great amount of heat, which is used to increase the temperature of the AN solution, while generating process steam, that can be used within the process.<\/p>\n<p>The ammonium nitrate solution and the generated process steam are disengaged in the reactor. The resulting ammonium nitrate solution, with a concentration ranging from 78 \u2013 92% depending on the operating pressure selected, is collected in a holding tank, from where it can be sent either to storage or to further concentration.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>AN Solution Concentration Zone<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In order to concentrate the Diluted AN Solution up to 96%, the Ammo- nium Nitrate is sent to a falling film evaporator, which operates under vacuum conditions.<\/p>\n<p>The diluted ammonium nitrate solution feeding the Falling Film Evapo- rator falls wetting the walls of the exchanger tubes. The steam produ- ced during the AN solution concentration goes to a separator prior to be sent to a Scrubber, and the concentrated AN solution leaves the bottom of the Falling Film Evaporator and is collected in holding tank, from where it will be pumped to the final consumer.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Process Steam\/Condensate zone<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The AN content of the process steam (reactor process steam and falling film process steam) is lowered by a liquid washing of the process steam done in two stages in a Scrubber: first by washing this steam in a packing bed with diluted ammonium nitrate solution and later it is washed in several special trays using condensate as washing fluid.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The process steam leaving the scrubbers is then, if possible, used within the plant and the rest of process steam is condensed and collec- ted in a Vessel. This process condensate is further used by different consumers within the plant and the remaining condensate will be sent out of the plant for further use.<\/p>\n<p>To improve the ammonium nitrate recovery within the plant, the purge of the scrubbers is recycled back the process.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Typical Operating Consumptions, per ton of product (as 100% AN basis)<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><u>Raw Materials<\/u><\/p>\n<p>Ammonia\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 213 kg<br \/>\nNitric Acid\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 789 kg<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><u>Utilities<\/u><\/p>\n<p>Cooling Water\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 22.1 m<sup>3<br \/>\n<\/sup>LP Steam\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 33.5 kg<br \/>\nElectric Power \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3.3 kWh[\/vc_column_text]\n    <section class=\"tr-mod mod-titulo_separador \">\n      <h4>\n        Process Flow Diagram\n      <\/h4>\n    <\/section>[vc_single_image image=&#8221;725&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space]\n    <section class=\"tr-mod mod-titulo_separador \">\n      <h4>\n        Process Description\n      <\/h4>\n    <\/section>[vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<strong>AMMONIUM SULPHATE NITRATE SOLUTION PROCESS DESCRIPTION<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ammonium sulphate nitrate (ASN) solution process can be divided into the following main areas described as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>ASN 96 % solution production and concentration<\/li>\n<li>Steam treatment &amp; distribution<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>ASN production by direct reaction of nitric acid, sulfuric acid and ammonia in the same reactor produces a huge amount of heat that is extremely difficult to control. In addition, the saturated mixture is exceptionally large corrosion potential. For this reason, direct neutralization within the reaction vessel is extremely restrictive, and it is preferred the alternative route where ammonia and sulphuric acid react in a reactor in presence of ammonium nitrate to produce ASN.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>ASN solution production and concentration<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>AN solution is first diluted with process condensate in the AN Solution Mixer. Sulphuric Acid is also diluted with process condensate, being retired the heat of dilution in the Sulphuric Acid Cooler by means of cooling water.<\/p>\n<p>AN solution and sulphuric acid are sent to the ASN Reactor, where both ammonia gas and sulfuric acid are also fed to react in the ammonium nitrate media, under agitation inside the saturator-reactor, according to the following reactions:<\/p>\n<p>[1]\u00a0\u00a0 2 NH<sub>3<\/sub> + H<sub>2<\/sub>SO<sub>4<\/sub> \u2192 (NH<sub>4<\/sub>)<sub>2<\/sub>SO<sub>4<\/sub> (aq) + Heat<\/p>\n<p>[2]\u00a0\u00a0 (NH<sub>4<\/sub>)<sub>2<\/sub>SO<sub>4<\/sub> + NH<sub>4<\/sub>NO<sub>3<\/sub> \u2192 (NH<sub>4<\/sub>)<sub>2<\/sub>SO<sub>4<\/sub> \u2022 NH<sub>4<\/sub>NO<sub>3<\/sub><\/p>\n<p>[3]\u00a0\u00a0 2 (NH<sub>4<\/sub>)<sub>2<\/sub>SO<sub>4<\/sub> + NH<sub>4<\/sub>NO<sub>3<\/sub> \u2192 2 (NH<sub>4<\/sub>)<sub>2<\/sub>SO<sub>4<\/sub> \u2022 NH<sub>4<\/sub>NO<sub>3<\/sub><\/p>\n<p>Reaction [1] is highly exothermic; the heat of reaction released can evaporate the water contained in the sulfuric acid. The grade of the ASN produced depends on the extension of the reactions [2] and [3] (with molar relation AS \/ AN of 1:1 and 2:1 respectively)<\/p>\n<p>Ferrous sulfate solution is dosed to the reactor to catalyze the formation of the double salt (NH<sub>4<\/sub>)<sub>2<\/sub>SO<sub>4<\/sub> <strong>\u00b7<\/strong>NH<sub>4<\/sub>NO<sub>3<\/sub> and for pH adjustment.<\/p>\n<p>For start-up purposes, the ASN solution from the reactor can be sent to the Evaporator Concentrator, working with low pressure steam as heating media, in order to remove the most part of the water. The evaporator &#8211; concentrator operates under vacuum; the vacuum in the area is produced by the Evaporator Steam Ejector; a flash is produced when the ANS solution is concentrated and steam is released and removed in the Evaporator Separator. ASN concentrated solution from the separator is sent to the ASN Buffer Tank, which is fitted with low pressure steam heating coils, from where it is pumped by means of the ASN Solution Pumps.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Steam treatment and distribution<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a name=\"_Toc213740445\"><\/a>The steam coming from the flash produced in the Evaporator Separator and the vapour from reactor are washed under vacuum conditions in the ASN Evaporator Steam Scrubber. In the bottom part of this scrubber, diluted ASN solution is recirculated by the Scrubber Pumps to remove most of the ASN traces entrained the steam. In the upper part of the scrubber, steam is washed in several trays with process condensate.<\/p>\n<p>Afterwards it is condensed in the ASN Evaporator Steam Condenser with cooling water as cooling media and collected in the Process Condensate Vessel. This process condensate will be sent to the different consumers ISBL.<\/p>\n<p>The purge of the scrubber is sent back to the reactor both to help keeping solids in suspension and to improve reaction yield, maximizing ASN production.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Typical Operating Consumptions, per ton of product (as 100% AsN basis)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><u>Raw Materials<\/u><\/p>\n<p>Ammonia (*)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 160 kg<br \/>\nAmmonium Nitrate\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 385 kg<br \/>\nSulphuric Acid\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 472 kg<br \/>\nAdditive\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9.6 \u00a0kg<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>(*) The ammonia for Ammonium Nitrate Production is not considered.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><u>Utilities<\/u><\/p>\n<p>Cooling Water\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 11.7.m<sup>3<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]\n    <section class=\"tr-mod mod-titulo_separador \">\n      <h4>\n        Process Flow Diagram\n      <\/h4>\n    <\/section>[vc_single_image image=&#8221;727&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content_no_spaces&#8221;][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1737025291657{margin-top: 50px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;730&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]In the last years the Industry demands giant plants and, in some cases, azeotropic concentration. Early in the 2000\u2019s ESPINDESA improved their dual pressure process featuring:[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content_no_spaces&#8221;][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]The required quality of Ammonium Nitrate Solution can be obtained by means of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":76,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-722","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.espindesa.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/722","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.espindesa.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.espindesa.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.espindesa.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.espindesa.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=722"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.espindesa.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/722\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1226,"href":"https:\/\/www.espindesa.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/722\/revisions\/1226"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.espindesa.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/76"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.espindesa.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}