Nitrogen Feedstocks

This section summarizes the literature on biodenitrogenation, with focus on BDN studies using quinoline, carbazole, pyridine and indole as model organonitrogen molecules. Research related to biodegradation (vs. nitrogen-specific conversion) of organonitrogen molecules is also considered, since it can be a viable option for relatively low-nitrogen feedstocks. 

Catalyst testing with the high nitrogen feedstock concerned and at the relevant catalyst-to-oil ratios is essential in order to arrive at a reaUstic assessment of the effect of nitrogen in a specific situation. 

For the refiner, the main problem is to meet the specifications for kinematic viscosity and sulfur content. Dilution by light streams such as home-heating oil and LCO, and selection of feedstocks coming from low-sulfur crude oils give him a measure of flexibility that will nevertheless lead gradually to future restrictions, most notably the new more severe antipollution rules imposing lower limits on sulfur and nitrogen contents. 

Feedstocks come mainly from catalytic cracking. The catalyst system is sensitive to contaminants such as dienes and acetylenes or polar compounds such as water, oxygenates, basic nitrogen, organic sulfur, and chlorinated compounds, which usually require upstream treatment. 

Contaminants such as the sulfur and nitrogen contained in the effluent gas are directly dependent on the feedstock properties. 

In two stages with recycle to the second stage, the conversion per pass is approximately 50 wt. % and the selectivity to middle distillates is maximal 75 to 80 wt. %. However, the investment is clearly higher and is justified only when feedstocks are difficult to convert and that their content in nitrogen is high. Figure 10.11 represents two variants of the hydrocracking process. 

Its purpose is to partially convert heavy fractions highly contaminated by natural compounds such as sulfur, nitrogen, metals Ni, V, and asphaltenes and to prepare feedstocks for deeper conversion or to produce low-sulfur fuel-oil. 

Coal is expected to be the best domestic feedstock alternative to natural gas. Although coal-based ammonia plants have been built elsewhere, there is no such plant in the United States. Pilot-scale projects have demonstrated effective ammonia-from-coal technology (102). The cost of ammonia production can be anticipated to increase, lea ding to increases in the cost of producing nitrogen fertilizers. 

The vapor-phase process of SocifitH Chemique de la Grande Paroisse for production of nitroparaffins employs propane, nitrogen dioxide, and air as feedstocks (34). The yields of nitroparaffins based on both propane and nitrogen dioxide are relatively high. Nitric oxide produced during nitration is oxidized to nitrogen dioxide, which is adsorbed in nitric acid. Next, the nitric dioxide is stripped from the acid and recirculated. 

Synthesis Gas Preparation Processes. Synthesis gas for ammonia production consists of hydrogen and nitrogen in about a three to one mole ratio, residual methane, argon introduced with the process air, and traces of carbon oxides. There are several processes available for synthesis gas generation and each is characterized by the specific feedstock used. A typical synthesis gas composition by volume is hydrogen, 73.65% nitrogen, 24.55% methane, <1 ppm-0.8% argon, 100 ppm—0.34% carbon oxides, 2—10 ppm and water vapor, 0.1 ppm. 

The carbon monoxide product is removed from the top of the column and warmed against recycled high pressure product. The warm low pressure stream is compressed, and the bulk of it is recycled to the system for process use as a reboder medium and as the reflux to the carbon monoxide column the balance is removed as product. The main impurity in the stream is nitrogen from the feed gas. Carbon monoxide purities of 99.8% are commonly obtained from nitrogen-free feedstocks. 

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