4.0 PROCESS SELECTION

Aspect Direct Combination of Two Elements, Nitrogen and Hydrogen

Reaction of Ammonium chloride with calcium oxide

Decomposition of Ammonium Chloride

Overall Reaction Path

N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3 2NH4Cl + 2CaO → CaCl2 + Ca(OH)2

+ 2NH3

NH4Cl → NH3 + HCl

Raw Material Nitrogen; Hydrogen Ammonium chloride; Calcium oxide Ammonium ChlorideCatalyst iron - -Gross Profit ($/kg) 0.45 0.20 1.13

Advantages Raw Material Cost:Abundant and relatively inexpensive, easy obtain

Others:Excess raw material can be

recycle, 99.9% product purity

- -

Disadvantages - Raw Material Cost:Relatively expansive, hardly obtain

Others:Corrosive solid of CaO

Raw Material Cost:Relatively expansive, hardly

obtainOthers:

HCl impart acute potential health effects, carcinogenic

Technology Well developed Not well developed Not well developedJustification From the above analysis, decomposition of ammonium chloride is the most economically ideal, followed by

direct combination of nitrogen and hydrogen and finally reaction of ammonium chloride with calcium oxide. But according to the advantages and disadvantages, the production of ammonia by using nitrogen and hydrogen is much better compared to the other two techniques. Besides, those two techniques appear impractical since the technology not well developed. In order to remain sustainable in the future, direct combination of nitrogen and nitrogen is the best solution

*The list of of prices of raw materials, products, and by-products as well as detail calculations of economic potential are shown in appendix

APPANDIX

Route 1: Direct Combination of Two Elements, Nitrogen and Hydrogen

N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3

Products Reactants Products

Overall Chemical Equation N2 H2 NH3

Kmole 1 3 2Molecular Weight (kg/kmol) 28.02 2.02 17.031Weight 28.02 6.06 34.062Weight / Weight NH3 0.823 0.178 1Price of Component ($/kg) 0 0.14 0.473Gross profits ($/kg NH3) 0.473(1) – 0.14(0.178) = 0.45 Route 2: Reaction of Ammonium chloride with calcium oxide

2NH4Cl + 2CaO → CaCl2 + Ca(OH)2 + 2NH3

Reactants ProductsOverall Chemical Equation 2NH4Cl 2CaO CaCl2 Ca(OH)2 2NH3

Kmole 1 2 1 1 2Molecular Weight (kg/kmol)

53.49156.0774

110.98 74.09317.031

Weight 106.982 112.155 110.98 74.093 34.062Weight / Weight NH3 3.14 3.293 3.258 2.175 1Price of Component ($/kg) 0.2 0.19 0.175 0.19 0.473

Gross profits ($/kg NH3)0.473(1) + 0.19(2.175) + 0.175(3.258) – 0.19(3.29) – 0.2(3.14) =

0.203

Route 3: Decomposition of Ammonium Chloride

NH4Cl → NH3 + HClReactants Products

Overall Chemical Equation NH4Cl NH3 HClKmol 1 1 1Molecular Weight (kg/kmol) 53.491 17.031 36.46Weight 53.491 17.031 36.46Weight / Weight NH3 3.14 1 2.14Price of Component ($/kg) 0.2 0.473 0.6Gross profits ($/kg NH3) 0.6(2.14) + 0.473(1) – 0.2(3.14) = 1.13

Chemical Prices

Chemical Molecular Weight (g/mol)

Chemical Formula

Cost(US dollar/kg)

Sources

Nitrogen 28.02 N2 0 AirHydrogen 2.02 H2 0.14Ammonia 17.031 NH3 0.473 Icispricing reportAmmonium chloride 53.491 NH4Cl 0.2 Shandong Xinguan Fertilizer

TechnologyCalcium oxide 56.0774 CaO 0.19 Tian Health Chemical Co, LtdCalcium chloride 110.98 CaCl2 0.175 Icispricing reportCalcium hydroxide 74.093 Ca(OH)2 0.19 Xiamen Diatei Chem Co. LtdHydrogen chloride 36.46 HCl 0.6 Icispricing report