In a method for producing
nitric acid,
nitrogen oxides are first created in an
ammonia combustion plant (2) by burning
ammonia with primary air and are cooled in a condenser (3), thereby producing a solution containing
nitric acid. The solution containing
nitric acid is then supplied to at least one absorption
tower, (4, 5), in which the
nitrogen oxides are brought into contact with water and
oxygen, the
nitrogen-containing gas mixture reacting at least partially with the water and the
oxygen, forming an
aqueous solution containing nitric acid, which solution collects at the bottom of the absorption
tower, (4, 5) and is then compressed and supplied back to the absorption
tower (4, 5) via a line (13, 15, 21). To minimise the formation of dinitrogen
monoxide during
ammonia oxidation in such a
plant and to increase the efficiency of the process, it is proposed in accordance with the invention to use a gas, the
oxygen content of which is between 21.3 vol.% and 35 vol.% as an oxidant in the ammonia
combustion plant (2). According to the invention, this oxidant is produced by introducing
pure oxygen or an oxygen-rich gas into the primary air or into the ammonia
combustion plant (2).