Ammonium nitrate neutralizer

Abstract

A thermal syphon-pressure pump neutralizer for neutralizing nitric acid with ammonia, comprising a reaction vessel for containing an aqueous reaction medium and having a gas outlet in its upper end and a product outlet spaced therebelow, a fluid impervious vertically disposed cylindrical member in the vessel defining a second reaction zone therewithin and a first reaction zone between the member and the vessel, the lower inlet end of the cylindrical member being spaced above the bottom of the vessel, ammonia inlet means leading into the bottom of the vessel in close proximity to but spaced below the cylindrical member inlet, nitric acid inlet means leading into the first reaction zone being spaced a predetermined distance above the cylindrical member inlet and below the product outlet, a free gas zone being provided between the reaction zones and the gas outlet and deflector means above the second reaction zone and in communication with the first reaction zone so that solution and gases evolved from the outlet of the second reaction zone are substantially reintroduced into the first reaction zone before entering the free gas zone with sufficient force to create a scrubbing turbulence within the first reaction zone.