GB1593561A

GB1593561A - Method for the production of urea or ammonium cyanate

Info

Publication number: GB1593561A
Application number: GB1485/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Western Electric Co Inc
Current assignee: AT&T Corp
Priority date: 1977-03-11
Filing date: 1978-01-13
Publication date: 1981-07-22
Also published as: CH633496A5; FR2383168B1; JPS5814364B2; CA1136381A; AU3390378A; AT360036B; IL54196A; IL54196A0; BE864762A; JPS53137916A; NL7802410A; ATA173978A; FR2383168A1; DE2809858C2; AU520029B2; IT7867534A0; DE2809858A1

Abstract

The catalytic process for producing urea and/or ammonium cyanate, in which a gaseous mixture which contains NOx and carbon monoxide and also a hydrogen source is reacted in the gas phase in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, and the compound produced is then separated, preferably by condensation, works under relatively mild temperature and pressure conditions and provides for a yield of more than 90%, based on the conversion of NOx.

Description

(54) A METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF UREA OR AMMONIUM CYANATE (71) We, WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED of 222 Broadway, New York City, New York State, United States of America, a Corporation organised and existing under the laws of the State of New York, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to the production of urea or its equivalent ammonium cyanate.

Urea or its equivalent, i.e., ammonium cyanate, is used for many economically significant applications. For example, urea is used as a main constituent of fertilizers, as a monomer in the production of plastics material, and as an ingredient in animal feed. Large quantities of urea, of the order of 4,000,000 tons/year or more in the United States alone, are synthesized commercially by contacting CO2 and NH3 under high pressure, typically 200 to 400 atm., and at temperatures between 140 and 210 degrees C to form ammonium carbamate, which is then decomposed into urea and water. The high pressures necessitate the use of expensive, sophisticated equipment. Further the low conversion efficiencies usually obtained in this commercial process, e.g., about 50 %, require the recycling of unreacted NH3 and CO2. Thus, production of smaller quantities by this high-pressure process is not fiscally acceptable. Even if large quantities are desired, the initial capital investment is an obstacle. Since the commercial production of NH3, a reactant in the process, also involves a high-pressure method which is only economical on a scale of approximately 500,000 tons/year, the monetary and quantity limitations inherent in the commercial urea manufacturing process are further compounded.

Certain situations, however, are most suitable for small-quantity, low-investment techniques. For example, the need for only a relatively small capital investment would facilitate production of urea for fertilizer in a low-technology agrarian country. Similarly, the on-site production of urea from waste by-products of another process is a desirable process usually involving relatively small scales. Such a recovery process is often economically advantageous if a sufficiently high-conversion efficiency from reactant by-products, to saleable products is obtainable. These two specific situations and many analogous ones illustrate two important factors. First, techniques involving relatively mild-pressure conditions are important in reducing the associated initial investment and technical complexities. Second, the possibilities of increased efficiency in the utilization of raw materials offered by a high-yield method of making urea from by-products is significant. Thus a relatively mild-pressure, high-efficiency process of making urea is beneficial in many circumstances.

The invention provides a method comprising converting a mixture of gases comprising (1) an oxide or mixture of oxides of the formula NOX where x is 1 or 2, (2) carbon monoxide and (3) a source of hydrogen, to urea or ammonium cyanate in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst.

It has been found that when the gaseous mixture is passed over the hydrogenation catalyst, such as platinum, rhodium or palladium, urea is obtained if the product is condensed at temperatures above 60 degrees C and ammonium cynate, NH4OCN, is obtained for condensation below 60 degrees C. Yields of up to 100 percent (based on the conversion of the NOX to urea or NH40CN) are possible. Other catalysts such as "Monel" (Registered Trade Mark) give lower yields, e.g., above 30 percent, but are still useful. Such yields are obtained at atmospheric pressure and at temperatures in the range 200 to 600 degrees C.

The process gives advantageous conversion to urea or NH40CN when the NOX concentration is as low as 200 ppm. or as high as 5%. Thus, the method is adaptable for using the NOX by-products of other manufacturing operations. The process requires a reasonably small capital investment since it uses only relatively mild reaction conditions.

The attractiveness of the process is further enhanced by the high-conversion efficiencies which are achievable.

A specific method, embodying the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus suitable for the practice of the invention; and FIGS. 2-7 show conversion efficiencies under various reaction conditions.

The preferred embodiment of the invention can best be described by individually detailing the steps in the synthesis process by reference to FIG. 1.

Cylinders of the reactant gases (1, 2 and 3 in FIG. 1) and a cylinder of an inert carrier gas 4, are attached through individual flow controllers 5, 6, 7 and 8, to a manifold 9. The reactant gases are a nitrogen oxide, i.e., NO or NO2 or a combination of NO and NO2, carbon monoxide and a third material which provides a source of hydrogen. Molecular hydrogen and water are exemplary of the materials suitable as hydrogen sources. In the latter case, since the process involves a gas phase reaction, the water is added by techniques such as passing the reactant gases through a water bubbler. Indeed, if the other reactants have a sufficiently high water impurity content no further addition is necessary. The particular material used as the inert gas is not critical. Typically, in laboratory preparation, helium is used because of its availability and because it facilitates analysis of reaction products. However, other inert gases such as N2 are also acceptable.

The catalyst 10 is-inserted in the reaction vessel 11 and a thermocouple 12 or other temperature monitoring means placed near the catalyst. The catalyst used is a hydrogenation catalyst. For example, catalysts such as rhodium, platinum and palladium, are suitable.

Other specific hydrogenation catalysts such as "Monel" are also useful. The physical form of the catalyst is not critical. Conventional forms such as small metal particles or a supported catalyst are useful. The yield of urea or urea equivalent i.e., NH40CN, depends on the reaction conditions and the particular catalyst used. It is desirable for many uses to select the conditions and the catalyst to yield conversions of NOX to urea or NH40CN of greater than 30 percent. Preferably for small-scale commercial applications conversions greater than 70 percent are advantageous.

After the reactants and catalysts are positioned, the apparatus is sealed and the entire system is purged with the inert gas. Then, if desired, the catalyst is cleaned by running H2 over the catalyst which is heated to temperatures in the range 200 to 600 degrees C, and preferably in the range 300 to 500 degrees C for 1 to 24 hours. For this purpose, H2 is introduced in the system either in pure form or diluted with an inert gas in a ratio of inert gas to H2 of between 0 and 50:1. This cleaning removes oxygen from the catalyst surface and generally makes the catalyst more active.

To start the reaction process, NOx, CO, the hydrogen source e.g., H2, and an inert gas are bled through their respective flow controllers into the manifold 9 and are directed through mixing coil 14 to ensure homogeneity. Exemplary of the concentration of reactants in the gas flow is an NOX partial pressure of 2 x 10-4 atm to .05 atm, preferably 2 x 10-3 atm to 0.02 atm, a CO/NOX molar ratio of from 0.5 to 10:1, preferably from 1 to 4:1 and a H2/NOX molar ratio of from 1 to 10:1, preferably from 1 to 2:1. The remainder of the gas flow is composed of inert gas, i.e., gas which does not interfere with the desired reaction.

Suitable pressures for the total gas flow are from 0.5 to 5 atm, preferably from 0.75 to 1.5 atm. Within these limitations of reactant concentration total gas flow and pressure, situations are encompassed where no inert gas is used and the system operates at a partial vacuum. However, it is generally most convenient to work at pressures of 1 atm which usually necessitates the addition of some inert gas. The gas mixture is passed over the catalyst which is heated to temperatures in the range 200 to 600 degrees C, preferably 300 to 500 degrees C. The gas flow rate is regulated to allow sufficient time for a substantial portion of the reactants to react and yet provide a commercially viable throughput time.

Generally, for typical catalysts, flow rates between 1,000 and 100,000 ml/h per m2 are acceptable. (The m2 refers to the total surface area of the catalyst accessible to the reactant gas flow.) The reacted gas passes out of the reactor into tube 15 and the NH4OCN is condensed from the gas flow by passing through a trap 17, which is kept at a temperature between 0 degree C and 120 degrees C. Ammonium cyanate is stable in the gas phase. However, when condensed, it spontaneously converts to urea at temperatures above 60 degrees C. Urea decomposes in the solid state at 120 degrees C. Therefore if the reacted gases are condensed below 60 degrees C NH40CN is the solid obtained. If the gases are condensed at from 60 degrees C to 120 degrees C, urea is obtained. Condensation above 120 degrees C is not recommended. The remaining gases are then vented through tube 25.

The ultimate yield obtained depends on the particular reaction conditions used. In each specific situation a controlled sample is used to fix the desired optimum conditions. The following examples demonstrate the effect of various parameters and the results obtained by the practice of the invention.

Examples 1 to 4 show the effect of temperature on yield for various catalysts. Each example was done with a total gas pressure of 1 atm.

Example 1 The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 including, for the purpose of analysis, a gas chromatograph 20, to measure the concentration of NOX and N2 in the exhaust gas and a Modified Technicon Colourimetric Auto-Analyzer 22, to measure the concentration of NH4OCN, was used. The modification of the analyzer was necessary to prevent clogging of the apparatus with urea or NH4OCN. The modification consisted of installing an absorber which foreed the hot gases through a silver nozzle followed by condensation and dissolution of the cyanate component on a surface which is continually flushed with an alcoholic solution. The solution is heated to between 60 and 90 degrees C to effect total conversion to urea. The urea solution is then analyzed using a carbamido-diacetyl reaction. (See J.

Biochemistry 33, 902 (1939).) Approximately 5 grams of a platinum sponge with active surface area of 0.12 m2/gm (area available for contact with the reactants) was put into the reaction vessel. A gas mixture of 0.3 percent NO, 0.5 percentH2, 5.0 percent CO and the remainder He was flowed at 115 cc/min over the catalyst (total pressure 1 atm). Measurement of urea (NH4OCN) production for various temperatures of the catalyst in the range of 300 to 500 degrees C was made. (The catalyst was heated by a fluidized sand bed with a heating coil, 27.) A sample of the reactor effluent was dried and CO2 removed with an ascarite trap 13. Exhaust from the ascarite trap was analyzed on the chromatograph for components such as N2, NO, NO2 and CO. Another sample of effluent was analyzed in the auto-analyzer 22, for NH4OCN and/or urea content The results are shown graphically in FIG. 2.

Example 2 The catalyst of Example 1 was reduced (cleaned) by running a 2 percent H2 in He mixture over the platinum sponge for 8 hours at 480 degrees C and then for 3 hours at 500 degrees C. The data obtained under the same reaction conditions as in Example 1 is shown in FIG.

3.

A comparison of these two FIGS. shows the improved effect generally associated with cleaning the catalyst.

Example 3 Approximately 1.5 grams of rhodium sponge with an active surface area of 1.69 m2/gm was put into the reaction chamber. Pure H2 was flowed over the catalyst at 100 cc/Min. The catalyst was heated to 500 degrees C and maintained at this temperature for 13/4 hours. The catalyst temperature was then reduced to room temperature and the gas flow was changed from pure H2 to pure He for overnight storage. A mixture of 0.31 percent NO, 0.5 percent H2, 5.0 percent CO, and the balance He (total pressure 1 atm) was flowed at a rate of 230 cc/Min. over the rhodium as it was heated to 360 degrees C. Product analysis was then done at various catalyst temperatures and the result is shown in FIG. 4.

Example 4 Approximately 4 grams of "Monel" metal filings (active surface area 0.12 m2/gm) was placed in the reactor and heated to 450 degrees C under a 2 percent H2/He flow of 100 cc/Min. The cleaning process was continued overnight. The catalyst temperature was then lowered to 200 degrees C and the gas flow was changed to pure H2 at 100 cc/Min. The temperature was then increased to 450 degrees C for 4l/4 hours. Various runs were made and the system was kept under He for a number of days. Then a gas flow of 0.3 percent NO, 0.5 percent H2, 5.0 percent CO and the remainder He was introduced at a flow rate of 125 cc/Min (total pressure 1 atm). Yields were measured at various catalyst temperatures over an extended period. The catalyst was kept under pure He when measurements were not being taken. The results are shown in FIG. 5.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 to 5 conversions of NO to NH4OCN closely approaching 100% were possible.

The following example demonstrates a typical effect of flow rate on yield at various temperatures.

Example 5 The catalyst used in Example 1 was again reduced at 500 degrees C under 2 percent H2 in He (2 hours). Yields at 360 and 410 degrees C for various flow rates of a 0.3 percent NO, 0.5 percent H2, 5.0 percent CO, and the remainder He (total gas pressure 1 atm) mixture was measured. Line 30 of FIG. 6 indicates the results at the lower temperature and line 31 at the higher.

A different sample of approximately 5 grams of platinum sponge (active surface area 0.12 m2/gm) was reduced overnight at 500 degrees C under a 2 percent H2/He flow. The catalyst temperature was adjusted to 430 degrees C and a gas mixture of 0.33 percent NO, 0.5 percent H2, 5.0 percent CO and the remainder He (total pressure 1 atm) was introduced at a flow rate of 700 ml/Min. This flow rate was varied by partial venting the gas flow before the gas mixture reached the reactor. The yields of NH40CN for the different flow rates at 430 degrees C are indicated by line 32 in FIG. 6. (Flow rates are shown as F/S where F is gas volume in ml per hour and S is the surface area of the catalyst sample accessible to the reactant gas flow.) The following example illustrates the effect of reactant proportions on the reaction yield.

Example 6 Approximately 5 grams of platinum sponge (active surface area 0.12 m2/gm) was loaded in the reactor. The catalyst temperature was raised to 450 degrees C and 2 percent H2/He was flowed at a rate of 60 cc/Min. through the system overnight. The temperature was then lowered to 404 degrees C and a gas mixture containing 0.3 percent NO, 5.0 percent CO, 0.3 percent H2 and the balance He (total gas pressure 1 atm) was flowed at the rate of 400 cc/Min. through the system. The CO concentration was varied (He concentration was also varied to compensate) and the yield of NH40CN measured. The following results were obtained.

CO conc. Percent Percent Conversion NO to NH40CN 5.0 100 (82*) 2.0 100 (72*j 1.75 69.5* 1.25 63.0* 0.89 45.0* 0.45 37.5 (34.5*) * Reading taken on second day of experiment after catalyst was kept in He atmosphere over a 3 day period at room temperature.

The flow was then changed to a 2 percent H2/He mixture (flow rate 60 cc./Min.) and the catalyst was reduced overnight at 450 degrees C. The catalyst temperature was lowered to 420 degrees C and various reaction mixtures were flowed (400 cc./Min.) through the system (total pressure of any given mixture was 1 atm). The composition of the reactant gas mixture (remainder not shown was He) and the NH40CN yield is shown in the following tables.

Effect of NO and H2 Conc.

%No %CO %H2 % Conversion NO to NH40CN 0.6 5.0 0.6 62.0 1.2 5.0 1.2 63.0 1.2 5.0 3.2 30.5 2.0 5.0 2.0 53.5 2.0 5.0 3.0 53.5 Effect of H20 %NO %CO %H2 %H20 % Conversion 0.6 5.0 0.6 0.0 62.0 0.6 5.0 0.6 4.3 77.5 0.6 5.0 0.0 4.3 69.0 0.6 2.0 0.6 4.3 72.5 0.3 2.0 0.5 0.0 62.0 0.3 2.0 0.5 4.3 60.5 2.0 5.0 2.0 4.5 61.0 The above tables show that conversion efficiency was insensitive to H2/NO ratio near stoichiometric proportions but that efficiency was reduced significantly when the H2/NO ratio was increased above approximately 1.5. The table further shows that H2O was effectively used as a source of hydrogen.

The following example illustrates the effect of 2 on the reaction yield. It should be noted than when 2 was introduced NO was converted to NO2.

Example 7 Approximately 5 grams of sponge platinum in a reduced state was raised to 500 degrees C and a gas flow of 0.33 percent No, 0.5 percent H2, 5.0 percent CO, (remainder He, total gas pressure 1 atm) was flowed through the system at a rate of 14 1/h. Various percentages of O2 were introduced and conversion efficiencies measured. The results are shown in FIG. 7.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A method comprising converting a mixture of gases comprising (1) an oxide or mixture of oxides of the formula NOX where x is 1 or 2, (2) carbon monoxide and (3) a source of hydrogen, to (urea or ammonium cyanate) in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the catalyst is selected from platinum, rhodium and palladium.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the conversion is at temperatures in the range 200 to 600"C.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the conversion is at temperatures in the range 300 to 500"C.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1-4, wherein the NOX partial pressure is from 2 x 10-4 atm to 0.05 atm, the CO/NOX molar ratio is from 0.5 to 10:1 and the H2/NOX molar ratio is from 1 to 10:1.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the NOX partial pressure is from 2 x 10-3 atm to 0.02 atm.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the CO/NOX molar ratio is from 1 to 4:1.

8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 5-7, wherein the H2/NOX molar ratio is from 1 to 2:1.

9. A method as claimed in any one of claims 5-8, wherein the total gas flow for conversion is at a pressure of from 0.5 to 5 atm.

10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 5-8, wherein the total gas flow for conversion is at a pressure of from 0.75 to 1.5 atm.

11. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hydrogen source is either molecular hydrogen or water.

12. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mixture of gases includes oxygen.

13. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the converted gases are condensed at a temperature of from 60"C to 1200C, so as to obtain urea.

14. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1-12, wherein the converted gases are condensed at a temperature of from 0 C to 60"C so as to obtain ammonium cyanate.

15. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1-14, wherein the mixture of gases includes a carrier gas.

16. A method according to claim 1 of converting a mixture of gases substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 of the accompanying drawings.

17. Urea, when formed by the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

18. Ammonium cyanate when formed by the method according to any one of claims 1-16.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. The above tables show that conversion efficiency was insensitive to H2/NO ratio near stoichiometric proportions but that efficiency was reduced significantly when the H2/NO ratio was increased above approximately 1.5. The table further shows that H2O was effectively used as a source of hydrogen. The following example illustrates the effect of 2 on the reaction yield. It should be noted than when 2 was introduced NO was converted to NO2. Example 7 Approximately 5 grams of sponge platinum in a reduced state was raised to 500 degrees C and a gas flow of 0.33 percent No, 0.5 percent H2, 5.0 percent CO, (remainder He, total gas pressure 1 atm) was flowed through the system at a rate of 14 1/h. Various percentages of O2 were introduced and conversion efficiencies measured. The results are shown in FIG. 7. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A method comprising converting a mixture of gases comprising (1) an oxide or mixture of oxides of the formula NOX where x is 1 or 2, (2) carbon monoxide and (3) a source of hydrogen, to (urea or ammonium cyanate) in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst.