How Manufacture of nitric acid by ammonia oxidation process works

Manufacture of nitric acid by ammonia oxidation process is the process for manufacturing nitric acid from ammonia and molecular oxygen with the help of a catalyst. There are two general routes for production of nitric acid:

electrochemical route and chemical route.

In electrochemical route, the solution is oxidized in an electric furnace or electrolytic cell at high voltage while nitrogen dioxide (NO) is evolved as a product. The noxious gases are collected in an air-tight chamber with double walled vessel to prevent escape of unreacted oxygen gas (O2). The high voltage is applied from electrodes of high purity aluminum, nickel, manganese or molybdenum;

chemical route involves reaction of dinitrogen trioxide (N2O3) with ammonia (NH3) to yield NO and nitrogen dioxide (NO).

This reaction is carried out in a chemical reactor, which also serves as the electrolytic cell for electrochemical production of nitric acid. The reactor is maintained at a temperature of 250-500 ℃ and under pressure. The reaction mixture obtained at the end of reaction contains mainly nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which are continuously bubbled to remove unreacted substances from the mixture. This explains manufacture of nitric acid by ammonia oxidation process

Uses of nitric acid

Foodstuffs industry (linings)

it is one of the most important raw materials in the food industry by virtue of its high production quality and moderate price. This makes it a valued chemical raw material. It is used as an acidity regulator that acts as an anti-caking agent, humectant, water retention agent and emulsifier in many acidic foods like jams, preserves, fruit juices etc. This is only of its uses that make it highly demanded in the food industry.

Pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals industry

it is an important raw material for the manufacturing of drugs. For instance, nitrofuran (a drug used for the treatment of bacterial infection) is synthesized from nitric acid and furfural alcohol. It also plays a key role in the manufacturing of various anti-diabetic drugs including glyburide, glibenclamide, glimepiride etc., anti-hypertensive drug such as propranolol, anti-cancer drugs such as cyclophosphamide and nitrosourea (SMBC), as well as many other pharmaceutical products.

Industrial chemicals and intermediates

it is a major raw material in the manufacturing of detergents, bleaches, dyes, pigments etc. This is because nitric acid is used as an oxidizer to color the intermediates and cyclo-olefins prior to their use in industries such as oil refineries, petrochemicals, precision engineering industries and so on. Other industrial uses include manufacture of plasticizers for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers for packaging material and of triacetin for the production of store-bought cosmetics (e.g., nail polish).

Production of fertilizers and explosives

it is the raw material for production of dinitrogen trioxide (N2O3), an important starting material for the manufacture of explosives such as nitroglycerin, TNT, dynamites etc., by an explosive process known as nitro metallurgy. It also plays an important role in the production of fertilizer and ammonium nitrate through polymerization or nitration reaction with ammonia.

Metals and other minerals

it is utilized as a source of nitrogen, as a nitrogen source or in combination with oxygen. One important application is the production of nitric acid. Nitrates and nitrites are used as plant nutrients. The nitrate ion is important in the process of photosynthesis and thus in the nutrition of plants. Nitrates are present in most vegetables, fruits, nuts and legumes because they are stored there from previous years' growth (legumes store them inside their seeds). These compounds can be found naturally in animal waste, including that of humans such as urine, feces and sweat.

Textiles and hygiene products

It is a very important raw material for the textile industry. It is a component of softeners, dyes and others. Nitric acid contributes to the strength of fire-resistant fabrics like those used in ships, airplanes and space vehicles by lowering tensile strengths and by enhancing their resistance to heat.

Food additives

Inorganic nitrates are used in the food industry as food preservatives, artificial flavors, color modifiers, and foods to enhance the flavor of other foods. They are also used in meat preparations as "flavor enhancers" and for curing meat. Vegetable dyes are made by reacting nitric acid with concentrated potassium chlorate or ammonium chlorate. These dyes are used in textiles, plastics, coatings and paints.

Water treatment

Nitric acid is used to treat drinking water because it reacts with many organic materials present in water to form stable compounds that do not cause human health problems. The most important application of nitric acid is as a disinfectant for public water supplies.

Checks for oil and gas well drilling 

It is used as a component in drilling fluids for oil and gas wells. The effectiveness of this application depends on how well the acids are bottled in a purified form so that they will be used up evenly over the entire region of interest.

Nitrates in animal nutrition

it is an important nutrient for animals, especially growing livestock, because it may reduce the risk of disease in animals (nitrates are converted to nitrogen in the animal body). Nitrates are also important because they make up a significant part of plant proteins.

In conclusions manufacture of nitric acid by ammonia oxidation process is used as a main method for production of some chemical compounds. Nitric acid is an important raw material in the food industry, agriculture, pharma and dentistry sectors. Today nitric acid is also used as a chemical intermediate in industries such as petroleum refining, steel industry, petrochemicals etc., but mainly for its uses in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. Nitric acid is also used for water treatment and manufacture of other chemicals like polymers and cosmetics etc.