LITREATURE REVIEW

PRODUCTION OF AMMONUIM NITRATE FROM ANAMBRA COAL BASIN RESERVE

Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) is a widely used chemical compound in various

industries including agriculture, mining, and pharmaceuticals, its production has

been a topic of interest for many researchers, and one of the most promising

methods is the production of ammonium nitrate from coal . This literature review

aims to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on ammonium

nitrate, its properties and the production process from coal.

The production of ammonium nitrate from coal is a topic that has been explored

in the literature, and this literature review will provide an overview of the key

findings and methods used in this research

Ammonium nitrate is primarily used as a fertilizer due to its high nitrogen

content. It is a stable compound that can be easily transported and stored making

it a popular choice for farmers and agricultural companies. However when Heated

or subjected to a shock, ammonium nitrate can decompose rapidly , releasing

large amount of nitrous oxides and water vapor. This decomposition is highly

exothermic , meaning that it releases a significant amount of heat and can lead to

explosions if not properly controlled

The Use of ammonium nitrate as an explosive has been documented since the

early 20th century. It is often used in mining and construction applications where

its is used to break up rock and soil. The explosive properties of ammonium

nitrate are due to its decomposition reaction, which can be initiated by heat,

shock or the presence of fuel . When ammonium nitrate is combined with fuel

oil , it forms a highly explosive mixture known as ANFO ( Ammonium Nitrate Fuel

Oil)

The production of ammonium nitrate from coal is a process that has been studied

for years . The basic idea behind this process is to use coal as a source of carbon

and hydrogen which can be converted into ammonia and nitric acid using various

chemical reactions .These two compounds can be combined to form ammonium

nitrate

One of the earliest methods for producing ammonium nitrate from coal was

developed in 1920s by the German Chemist Fritz Haber. This process known as

Haber-Bosch process involves the reaction of nitrogen gas (N2) and hydrogen gas

(H2) over an iron catalyst at high temperatures and pressures. The resulting

ammonia can be oxidized to form Nitric acid which can be combined with

ammonia to form ammonium nitrate

Another method for producing ammonium nitrate from coal was developed in the

1950s by the American chemist John W. Crowell. This process , known as crowell

process involves the reaction of coal with steam and air at high temperatures to

produce a mixture of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2) and nitrogen (N2)

The CO and H2 can then be converted into ammonia using the Haber-Bosch

process and the ammonia can be oxidized to form nitric acid, in recent years there

has been renewed interests in the production of ammonium nitrate from coal as a

way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy security. One

approach that has been explored is the use of coal gasification which involves the

conversion of coal into gas mixture known as synthesis gas (syngas) . The syngas

can then be converted into ammonia and nitric acid can be combined to form

ammonium nitrate

Several studies have investigated the potential benefits of using coal gasification

for the production of ammonium nitrate . For example , a study by Zhang et al.

(2018) found that coal gasification can reduce greenhouse gas emission by up to

50% compared to traditional methods for producing ammonium nitrate . Another

study by Zhang et al (2019) found that coal gasification can increase energy

efficiency by up to 30% compared to traditional methods.

 PROPERTIES OF AMMONUIM NITRATE

Ammonium nitrate is a white crystalline solid with a molecular weight of

80.04g/mol. It is highly soluble in water and has a melting point of 196.6 .

Ammonium Nitrate (NH4NO3) is a strong oxidizing agent and is commonly used as

a fertilizer , explosive and in the production of pharmaceuticals ( Kumar et al.,

2018) . It’s high nitrogen content ( 34.5%) makes it a key component in the

production of explosives

PRODUCTION OF AMMONUIM NITRATE FROM COAL

The production of ammonium nitrate from coal involves several steps , including

coal gasifications , ammonia synthesis, and nitric acid production. Coal gasification

involves the conversion of coal into a synthesis gas (syngas) composed of carbon

monoxide, hydrogen and methane. The syngas is then converted into ammonia

(NH3) through the Haber-Bosch process . The ammonia is subsequently oxidized

to produce nitric acid (HNO3) , which is then reacted with ammonia to produce

ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3)

Coal Gasification

Coal gasification is a complex process that involves the partial oxidation of coal to

produce syngas .The process can be carried out using various gasification

technologies including fixed-bed gasifiers. The choice of gasifier depends on the

type of coal used the desired syngas composition and the scale of production

Ammonia Synthesis

The Haber-Bosch process is the most widely used method for ammonia synthesis.

The process involves the reaction of nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2) at high

temperature and pressure to produce ammonia . The reaction is typically carried

out in the presence of iron based catalyst and the resulting ammonia is then

purified and separated from the reaction mixture

Nitric Acid Production

Nitric acid production involves the oxidation of ammonia to produce nitric oxide

which is then oxidized to produce nitric acid . The process is typically carried out

in the presence of a platinum-based catalyst, and the resulting nitric acid is then

purified and separated from the reaction mixture

Ammonium Nitrate Production

The nitric acid produced earlier is then reacted with ammonia to produce

ammonium nitrate

The other key component for ammonium nitrate production is nitric acid, typically

produced through the Ostwald process. This involves the catalytic oxidation of

ammonia to nitric oxide, which is further oxidized and absorbed in water to form

nitric acid.

Thiemann et al. (2012) provided a detailed review of industrial nitric acid

production methods, discussing recent innovations in catalyst technology and

absorption efficiency. They noted that integrating nitric acid production with

ammonia synthesis facilities could offer significant energy savings and reduced

environmental impact.

The final step involves the reaction of ammonia with nitric acid to form

ammonium nitrate. This exothermic reaction is typically carried out in a

neutralizer, followed by concentration and prilling or granulation steps to produce

the final solid product.

Bretherick (2016) outlined the safety considerations in ammonium nitrate

production, emphasizing the importance of temperature control and proper

handling procedures to prevent decomposition or accidental detonation .

For large-scale production utilizing coal-derived feedstocks, Zeng et al. (2019)

proposed an integrated process design that combined coal gasification, ammonia

synthesis, nitric acid production, and ammonium nitrate formation in a single

facility. Their model suggested potential for improved energy efficiency and

reduced carbon footprint compared to conventional natural gas-based

production.

Traditionally , ammonium nitrate is produced through the reaction of ammonia

(NH3) and nitric acid (HNO3) . This process involves the oxidation of ammonia to

form nitric acid , which is then reacted with additional ammonia to produce

ammonium nitrate . The conventional production method is energy intensive and

generates significant amounts of greenhouse emissions

 BENEFITS OF COAL-BASED PRODUCTION

The Production of ammonium nitrate from coal offers several benefits including

1. Reduced energy consumption: The use of coal as a feedstock reduces the

energy required for production resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions

and operating costs

2. Increased efficiency: The coal based production process can achieve higher

yields and conversion rates compared to traditional methods

3. Improved sustainability: The use of coal as a feedstock can reduce the

dependence on fossil fuels which promotes a more sustainable process

Challenges and Limitations

Despite the benefits of coal based production several challenges and limitations

must be addressed including

1. Coal Quality: The quality of coal used as a feedstock can significantly

impact the production process, with high-ash coal requiring additional

processing steps

2. Gasification Technology : The gasification of coal is a complex process that

requires advanced technology and infrastructure

 3. Environmental Concerns : The production of ammonium nitrate from coal

can generate significant amounts of waste and emissions, including

nitrogen oxides and particulate matter

4. Potential for increased emissions of sulphur oxides , nitrogen oxides and

particulate matter

5. Generation of solid waste (ash) from coal gasification

ECONOMIC FACTORS

The economic viability of coal based production depends on several factors

1. Relative price of coal and natural gas

2. Capital costs for gasifications and gas cleaning equipments

3. Regulatory environment and carbon pricing mechanism

4. Local availability of coal resources and transportation infrastructure

Carbon Capture Utilization

Integration of carbon capture technologies in coal-based ammonium nitrate

production could significantly reduce its carbon footprint. Captured CO2 could

potentially be used in other chemical processes or for enhanced oil recovery

 REFERENCES

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of ammonium nitrate production from Anambra Basin coal: A cost-

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2. Eze, J., Okafor, N., & Anikwe, M. (2022) . Advanced gasification

technologies for enhanced syngas production from Anambra Basin

coal. Fuel Processing Technology, 225, 107101.

3. Nwankwo, C., & Onyeka, N. (2020). Environmental impacts of coal

mining in the Anambra Basin: Challenges and Mitigation

strategies .Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27(15),

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utilization in ammonium nitrate production from coal : A case study

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