The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 09, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 12, 1998
Thomas A. Czuppon, Houston, TX (US);
Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A vertical tubular reactor for converting ammonia synthesis loop purge gas to ammonia; a method for converting ammonia synthesis loop purge gas to form additional ammonia; and a method for retrofitting a conventional ammonia plant having a synthesis loop using an iron-based synthesis catalyst and having a purge gas stream, the method including a supplemental ammonia converter for the purge gas stream. The supplemental ammonia converter is a shell and tube reactor. The tubes are filled with a catalyst comprising a platinum group metal such as ruthenium. The tubes are maintained in a substantially isothermal condition by boiling water in the shell side. As a retrofit modification to an existing ammonia synthesis plant, the purge stream is passed through the supplemental ammonia converter on a once-through basis to form additional ammonia and reduce the amount of purge gas. Advantages of the retrofit modification include lower energy consumption, lower purge rates and higher ammonia production rates.