Urea Production Using Ammonia-CO2 Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing urea production processes from ammonia and carbon dioxide obtained through natural gas steam reforming face inefficiencies due to excess ammonia, requiring costly and complex carbon dioxide recovery from combustion smokes using techniques like ethanolamine washing.
Innovation Solution
Treating combustion smokes with an aqueous ammonia solution to form an ammonium carbamate solution, which is then used in the urea synthesis process, allowing for the utilization of all produced ammonia and simplifying carbon dioxide recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If carbon dioxide is recovered from combustion smokes using ethanolamine washing, then pure carbon dioxide is obtained for urea production, but the process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts carbon dioxide directly from combustion smokes using a simplified absorption process with ammonium carbamate solution, eliminating the need for complex ethanolamine washing systems while obtaining sufficient carbon dioxide for urea production
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses ammonium carbamate solution as an intermediary substance to absorb carbon dioxide from combustion smokes, replacing the complex ethanolamine system with a simpler, more cost-effective absorption medium that integrates with the existing urea production process
2Quantity of substance
If carbon dioxide is recovered from combustion smokes, then additional carbon dioxide is supplied for urea production, but the process requires additional equipment and operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the carbon dioxide recovery function with the existing urea production process by using ammonium carbamate solution that serves dual purposes: absorbing carbon dioxide from smokes and providing carbon source for urea synthesis, thereby simplifying operations
Solution Approach 2:
The ammonium carbamate solution performs multiple functions: it absorbs carbon dioxide from combustion smokes, serves as a carbon source for urea production, and integrates with existing process streams, eliminating the need for separate dedicated carbon dioxide recovery equipment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach ensures all ammonia is used in urea production, simplifies and cost-reduces carbon dioxide recovery, and enables efficient urea production without the need for complex prior art methods, with the added benefit of using heat from exothermal reactions for steam production.
Implementation Method 1
treating combustion smokes comprising carbon dioxide with an aqueous solution comprising a part of said ammonia, obtaining an aqueous ammonium carbamate solution
Implementation Method 2
treating combustion smokes comprising carbon dioxide with an aqueous solution comprising a part of said ammonia, obtaining an aqueous ammonium carbamate solution
Implementation Method 3
with the added benefit of using heat from exothermal reactions for steam production
Data Source
AI summary
A process for urea production comprises a first process step in which ammonia (7) and carbon dioxide (6) are obtained, subjecting natural gas (1) to reforming treatments (12, 14), and a second step of urea (8a) production from such ammonia (7) and from carbon dioxide, through a formation of a solution comprising urea and ammonium carbamate in a urea synthesis reactor (20) and a subsequent decomposition of the ammonium carbamate and. urea recovery, the process comprises the steps of:—treating combustion smokes (5) comprising carbon dioxide with an aqueous solution (9a) comprising a part (7b) of such ammonia (7), obtaining an aqueous ammonium carbamate solution (9c);—supplying the solution (9c) thus obtained to the second process step.