Reply #77: LPG -> Anhydrous ammonia (NH3)

[mulethree]

Was wondering what petroleum has to do with ammonia which is nitrogen fertilizer. The hydrogen is used to convert Nitrogen from the air into ammonia - basically water soluable nitrogen, the process uses a lot of heat and so even more petroleum.

http://www.agrium.ca/products_services/ingredients_for_growth/nitrogen/anhydrous_ammonia.cfm

Manufacturing Process -
How we make Anhydrous Ammonia 82-0-0

Ingredients for the production of anhydrous ammonia are air, natural gas and steam (air is 78% nitrogen). In the first step of the process, natural gas reacts with steam over a catalyst, producing a hydrogen-rich gas. This change is completed at a temperature ranging from 760 to 816° Celsius (1400 to 1500° Fahrenheit). Next, air is added and carefully regulated to provide the exact amount of nitrogen needed for ammonia synthesis.

After a series of processes to remove carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, the remaining high-purity gas (high in nitrogen and hydrogen content) is compressed under extreme pressure and sent to a reactor vessel where ammonia is synthesized. The anhydrous ammonia is then liquified and stored at a temperature of approximately -34° Celsius (-30° Fahrenheit). The carbon dioxide from this process is used in urea production.

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Fertilizer market, imports, shortage due to LPG prices

http://utfb.fb.org/Index/nitrogen.htm

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Another good piece

http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/icm/2001/1-29-2001/natgasfert.html