Improved ammonium sulfate production equipment at the Orsk-Khalilovo Integrated Iron and Steel Works (OKhMK)
In the Orsk-Khalilovo coking plant, ammonium sulfate is made entirely from spent sulfuric acid supplied by the spirits plant in the Orsknefteorgsintez Association. The spent acid has a low concentration of H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ monohydrate (67 to 72%) and is colored black by a suspension of inorganic and organic impurities. The inorganic impurities particularly harmful to the growth of ammonium sulfate crystals include iron salts (Fe content 0.04 to 0.06 wt %). In the ammonium sulfate plant they become insoluble and adsorb acid sludge; consequently, they are retained in the liquor and stain the finished ammonium sulfate. The organic impurities in the spent acid (equivalent to 0.6 to 0.8 wt % free carbon) precipitate on the ammonium sulfate crystals, thereby slowing down their growth and making the product fine and stained. Moreover, the use of spent acid causes frothing in the mother liquor; froth overflows from the circulation boxes and the operating conditions are difficult to observe. With spent acid of this low quality it is impossible to produce high-grade ammonium sulfate by the methods usually advocated. By improving the agitation of mother liquor in the saturator bath, diverting the return stream to the gas-lift cylinder and installing hydrocyclones, the quality of the ammonium sulfate has been raised: the >0.25 mm size fraction content has risen from 57 to 74%, and the acidity of the product has been reduced from 0.048 to 0.030 wt %. The average monthly yield of grade I product has risen from 2.8 to 50.0%.
- OSTI ID:
- 5412688
- Journal Information:
- Coke Chem. USSR (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Coke Chem. USSR (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 5; ISSN COKCA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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