Ammonia from coal: an economic evaluation. Technical report No. 156

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:5871511

Katell, S

The availability of natural gas after World War II led to its use for almost all of the new ammonia plant installations subsequent to that period of time. Coal which had been the primary raw material soon lost its position in the field. At the present time there is every indication that a reversal will have to take place due to the shortage of natural gas. Two major changes have taken place since coal was the major feedstock in the industry. The first of these has been in the size of the plants--several 1000 ton-per-day single train operations now exist. The second has been major developments in coal gasification processes aimed at the production of synthetic fuels which now can be considered for the production of the synthesis gas required in ammonia production facilities. A plant designed to produce 1000 tons-per-day of ammonia using hydrogen produced by oxygen-coal gasification at 450 psig followed by 2-stage conversion, 2-stage purification, and methanation is estimated to require a capital investment of $105,127,000. The gasification operation is the entrained system developed by the Bureau of Mines during the period between 1955 and 1960. The methodology used in determining the capital investment is illustrated. The selling price for the product is determined in the given calculations. Based on the identified parameters, this price is indicated to be $119.77/ton.

• OSTI ID: 5871511
• Report Number(s): CONF-780611-16
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010404 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Gasification
010500* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Products & By-Products
090320 -- Inorganic Hydrogen Compound Fuels-- Preparation-- (1976-1989)
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
AMMONIA
CAPITAL
COAL GASIFICATION
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
GASES
GASIFICATION
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
PRICES
PRODUCTION
SYNTHESIS GAS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES