Fertiliser Technology - Engineering

Q1:

A fertiliser plant is classified as a gas based fertiliser plant, when it uses __________ gas as a source of hydrogen for the manufacture of ammonia.

A coke oven

B producer

C natural

D coal

ANS:C - natural

A fertiliser plant is classified as a gas-based fertiliser plant when it uses natural gas as a source of hydrogen for the manufacture of ammonia. Explanation:

  1. Gas-Based Fertiliser Plants: Gas-based fertiliser plants primarily rely on gaseous hydrocarbons as feedstock for the production of ammonia, which is a key component in fertiliser manufacturing.
  2. Source of Hydrogen: Hydrogen is a crucial element in the synthesis of ammonia (NH3). It is typically obtained from hydrocarbon gases, which serve as a source of both hydrogen and carbon.
  3. Natural Gas: Natural gas, primarily composed of methane (CH4), is one of the most common sources of hydrogen used in gas-based fertiliser plants. Methane is a simple hydrocarbon that can be readily converted into hydrogen through a process called steam reforming.
  4. Steam Reforming: In steam reforming, methane reacts with steam (water vapor) in the presence of a catalyst to produce hydrogen gas (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO). The hydrogen generated from this process is then utilized in the synthesis of ammonia.
  5. Advantages of Natural Gas: Natural gas is preferred as a source of hydrogen in gas-based fertiliser plants due to its high hydrogen content, relatively low cost, and widespread availability in many regions.
  6. Other Gaseous Sources: While natural gas is the predominant source of hydrogen in gas-based fertiliser plants, other gaseous hydrocarbons such as propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10) may also be used in some cases.
In summary, a fertiliser plant is classified as a gas-based fertiliser plant when it uses natural gas as a source of hydrogen for the manufacture of ammonia, leveraging its abundance and suitability for the process of ammonia synthesis.
A fertiliser plant is classified as a gas-based fertiliser plant when it uses natural gas as a source of hydrogen for the manufacture of ammonia. Explanation:
  1. Gas-Based Fertiliser Plants: Gas-based fertiliser plants primarily rely on gaseous hydrocarbons as feedstock for the production of ammonia, which is a key component in fertiliser manufacturing.
  2. Source of Hydrogen: Hydrogen is a crucial element in the synthesis of ammonia (NH3). It is typically obtained from hydrocarbon gases, which serve as a source of both hydrogen and carbon.
  3. Natural Gas: Natural gas, primarily composed of methane (CH4), is one of the most common sources of hydrogen used in gas-based fertiliser plants. Methane is a simple hydrocarbon that can be readily converted into hydrogen through a process called steam reforming.
  4. Steam Reforming: In steam reforming, methane reacts with steam (water vapor) in the presence of a catalyst to produce hydrogen gas (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO). The hydrogen generated from this process is then utilized in the synthesis of ammonia.
  5. Advantages of Natural Gas: Natural gas is preferred as a source of hydrogen in gas-based fertiliser plants due to its high hydrogen content, relatively low cost, and widespread availability in many regions.
  6. Other Gaseous Sources: While natural gas is the predominant source of hydrogen in gas-based fertiliser plants, other gaseous hydrocarbons such as propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10) may also be used in some cases.
In summary, a fertiliser plant is classified as a gas-based fertiliser plant when it uses natural gas as a source of hydrogen for the manufacture of ammonia, leveraging its abundance and suitability for the process of ammonia synthesis.