Ammonia prices, estimated

The economic estimation based on the pilot unit results showed that ammonia contributes 70% to the prime cost of the N20. Using this result and the ammonia price 0.37 kg-1 [191], one can evaluate the N20 price to be 0.53 kg-1. Certainly, this cost far exceeds that of dioxygen. Therefore, for reactions producing inexpensive products, like the oxidation of methane to methanol, the application of N20 cannot be economically sound. However, this modest cost opens great N20 prospects for the preparation of more expensive chemical products. For instance, the theoretical expenditure for N20 in the oxidation of benzene to phenol is 17%, and in the oxidation of phenol to hydroquinone is 4%, of the cost of the target product. The commercial viability of such processes will depend primarily on their technological advantages rather than the cost of nitrous oxide. 

The estimated capacity of formamide was approximately 100,000 t/yr worldwide in 1990. In 1993, there are only three significant producers BASE in Germany is the leading manufacturer. Smaller quantities of formamide are produced in the former Czechoslovakia (Sokolov) and Japan (Nitto) by direct synthesis from carbon monoxide and ammonia. Most of the formamide produced is utilized direcdy by the manufacturers. The market price for formamide (ca 1993) is about 2.00/kg. 

Titanium Alkoxides. Titanium alkoxides are made from titanium tetrachloride and the corresponding alcohols in the presence of ammonia. Higher titanium alkoxides are manufactured from lower alkoxides by alcoholysis. Titanium isopropoxide and -butoxide are commercially available in barrels. Annual production of titanium alkoxides is estimated at 3000—4000 metric tons at an average price of about 4/kg. 

Consider the following prices in /kg propylene (0.7), ammonia (0.2), acrylonitrile (1.8), hydrogen cyanide (1.5), acetonitrile (1.3), ammonia sulfate (0.15). Environmental fees are estimated as emissions (0.001), wastewater per kg organic loading (0.5), acid water per kg acid (0.05), incineration organics/water (0.6), incineration organic solids (1.2) and landfill (0.20). In addition, consider a C02 penalty of 0.10 /kg. 

Natural gas is by far the most economical feedstock for ammonia production, achieving the lowest energy consumption and requiring the lowest investment [404], This can also be seen from Table 45, which gives an estimate of ammonia production costs in Northwest Europe for different feedstocks using state-of-the-art technological standards. The lump turn key price for the ammonia plant were assumed as 180 x 106 for steam reforming of natural gas, 270 x 106 for partial oxidation of vacuum residue and 400 x 106 for coal-based plants (Capacity 1800 mt/d). 

Figure 122 shows an estimate of ammonia production costs at various locations. In this figure the capital-related costs are based on a debt/equity ratio of 60/40. With 6 % depreciation of fixed assets and spare material, 8 % interest on debts and 16 % ROI on equity, corresponding to a total of about 16.5 % of the total capital involved. The total capital includes the LSTK price for plant and storage, cost of the off-sites for an industrialized site, in-house project costs, spare parts and catalyst reserves, working capital. 

AH cost estimates should be made with separation of national currency and foreign exchange components to allow for later economic analysis. Order of magnitude capital cost estimates for a battery-limits plant can be made provided plant capadties are set at fairly standardized levels and prices are available for plant and equipment at such capacities. A schedule for a battery-limits plant investment is prepared for a particular place, time, and capadty as shown in Table 21.1 for an ammonia plant in a US Gulf Coast location in 1994. Cost estimates can be at usted to account for changes in any of these parameters. 

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