Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal energy storage system for storing collected solar thermal energy. The system comprises a solar thermal energy collection facility in the form of a field of parabolic troughs, which is in thermal communication with a molten salt circuit. The molten salt circuit is in fluid communication with a molten salt storage facility comprising at least three storage tanks that are each in fluid communication with the molten salt circuit. The multiple tanks set-up allows using cheaper materials, and a more efficient storage of thermal energy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a granulate of a urea product comprising urea and a salt, such as urea ammonium sulfate, having a high content of the salt. The high content is such as to provide an amount of the salt above the limit of solubility of the salt in urea. The granulate of the invention is characterized by having a smooth surface, which, e.g. in the event of urea ammonium sulfate, is not normally the case for granulate having the aforementioned high ammonium sulfate content. According to the invention this is realized by dividing the feed liquids to granulation. This division is based on non-final granulation liquids of a sufficiently high content of the salt, and a final granulation liquid (determining the surface) having a salt content of below the solubility limit of the salt, or no salt at all. E.g. in the event of urea ammonium sulfate, the non-final granulation liquids possibly are a slurry of urea and more than 20 wt. % of ammonium sulfate. The final granulation liquid then has 0-20 wt.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a corrosion resistant duplex stainless steel (ferritic austenitic alloy) which is suitable for use in a plant for the production of urea; and uses thereof. The disclosure also relates to objects made of said duplex stainless steel. Furthermore, the present disclosure also relates to a method for the production of urea and to a plant for the production of urea comprising one or more parts made from said duplex stainless steel, and to a method of modifying an existing plant for the production of urea.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the concurrent production of hydrogen and sulphur from a H2S-containing gas stream, with reduced, and preferably zero, emissions. The method comprises the catalytic oxidative cracking of H2S so as to form H2 and S2. Preferably, the oxidation is conducted using oxygen-enriched air, preferably pure oxygen. The process is conducted in a reaction chamber comprising a bifunctional catalyst material, so as to favor both the partial oxidation of H2S and the dissociation thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst suitable for the catalytic oxidative cracking of a H2S-containing gas stream, particularly in the event that the stream also contains methane and/or ammonia. The catalyst comprises iron and molybdenum supported by a carrier comprising aluminum. The carrier preferably is alumina. The iron and molybdenum preferably are in the form of sulphides. Also disclosed is a method for the production of hydrogen from a H2S-containing gas stream, comprising subjecting the gas stream to catalytic oxidative cracking so as to form H2 and S2, using a catalyst in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the integrated production of urea and melamine. A urea production zone produces a urea synthesis stream comprising urea, water and ammonium carbamate. This stream is subjected to processing, preferably involving stripping, so as to separate an aqueous urea stream from residual dissociated carbamate vapor comprising ammonia, carbon dioxide, and water. The urea is fed to a melamine synthesis zone and subjected to melamine forming conditions so as to form melamine and off-gas comprising carbon dioxide and ammonia. The dissociated carbamate vapor and the melamine off-gas are subjected to combined condensation so as to form a dilute melamine off-gas condensate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated process for the production of urea and melamine, as well as a system for carrying out the process. The invention thereby pertains to an integrated process of the type wherein off-gas obtained from the production of melamine is entered into the process for the production of melamine, by condensation in the presence of water. A typical embodiment thereof is the condensation in the presence of an aqueous carbamate solution obtained from urea recovery. In accordance with the invention, said condensation takes place at a substantially lower pressure than the pressure at which the melamine off-gas is obtained. To this end, the pressure of the off-gas is reduced typically by 2-10 bar. In connection herewith, the system of the invention comprises a pressure reducing unit downstream of an outlet for the melamine off-gas, and upstream of a section for the condensation of the off-gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a hydrogen containing gas mixture comprising the following steps: (i) providing a preheated mixture comprising a fossil fuel, preferably methane, and steam, (ii) conducting an adiabatic reaction between the fossil fuel and the steam, in the presence of a catalyst, wherein a first reaction product mixture is formed comprising methane, hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and (iii) conducting an oxygen-assisted reforming reaction in the presence of a catalyst between said first reaction product mixture and an oxygen comprising stream, wherein the oxygen comprising stream comprises at least 40 vol % oxygen, forming a second reaction product mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The invention also relates to a system suitable for hydrogen production from a hydrocarbon feed according to the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the integrated production of two different urea products. One is an aqueous urea solution suitable for use in NOx abatement (generally indicated as Diesel Exhaust Fluid—DEF). The other is a solution used as a fertilizer, viz. Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN). The production of DEF and UAN are integrated as follows: ammonia recovered from the production of urea is used as a feed to the production of ammonium nitrate. At least part of an aqueous urea stream from urea prodution, is mixed with ammonium nitrate so as to obtain UAN.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of increasing the capacity of an existing urea plant. With reference to the regular components of a urea plant, including a synthesis section comprising a high pressure carbamate condenser and a reactor, and a recovery section, the method comprises installing an additional reactor between the recovery section and the high pressure carbamate condenser. The additional reactor is preferably installed in connection with an ejector, so as to allow ground placement of the additional reactor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and plant for the catalytic dehydrogenation of alkanes, such as propane. The plant is a plant of hybrid architecture wherein one or more membrane-assisted reactor configurations according to open architecture are combined with one or more membrane-containing reactors of closed architecture. Hydrogen remaining in the reaction mixture after separation in the membrane separation unit of a first open architecture configuration, is fed to a first membrane-reactor of the closed architecture type. Also disclosed are methods of modifying plants so as to create the hybrid architecture plant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for urea finishing. A urea solution is subjected to crystallization and, other than in conventional processes, the urea crystals are shaped by exerting mechanical force onto them. Thus, the conventional prilling or granulation finishing steps can be avoided, and so are the corresponding emissions of ammonia and/or dust. The crystallization comprises a flash crystallization. The invention also pertains to the urea particles obtainable by the process, to a urea plant, and to a method of modifying an existing urea plant.

Abstract: Disclosed is method for removing carbonyl sulphide and/or carbon disulphide from a sour gas stream. The method comprises subjecting the gas stream to simultaneous contact with an absorption liquid, such as an aqueous amine solution, and with a catalyst suitable for hydrolyzing carbonyl sulphide and/or carbon disulphide. To this end, the invention also provides a reactor system wherein both an absorption liquid and a catalyst are present. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst present on or in an absorption column, either coated on the trays of a column with trays, or contained in the packing of a packed column.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the integrated production of urea and melamine. A urea production zone produces a urea synthesis stream comprising urea, water and ammonium carbamate. This stream is subjected to processing, preferably involving stripping, so as to separate an aqueous urea stream from residual dissociated carbamate vapor comprising ammonia, carbon dioxide, and water. The urea is fed to a melamine synthesis zone and subjected to melamine forming conditions so as to form melamine and off-gas comprising carbon dioxide and ammonia. The dissociated carbamate vapor and the melamine off-gas are subjected to combined condensation so as to form a dilute melamine off-gas condensate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the production of urea allowing a substantial reduction, even down to zero, of the continuous emission of ammonia conventionally resulting from such a process. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the urea-forming reaction from carbon dioxide and ammonia is conducted in a synthesis section that does not require passivation by oxygen. As a result of the absence of oxygen, a hydrogen-rich gas stream results from the synthesis section, that can be used as a fuel in an incinerator. In the incinerator, ammonia-comprising gas streams from the urea production process are combusted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a storage tank for molten salts, preferably of the thermocline type. The tank is provided with an insulation on the inside, which is provided by molten salts captured and retained in an appropriate metal structure. The metal structure has openings allowing molten salts to flow into it, and may consist of metal supports that hold elements which allow retaining molten salts, such as a structured packing, metal boxes, or gutter wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a urea plant with a CO2 and a NH3 feed, which comprises a purge line, characterized in that the purge line is connected with a fuel gas input line of a utility plant or an NH3 plant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the integrated production of urea and melamine. A urea production zone produces a urea synthesis stream comprising urea, water and ammonium carbamate. This stream is subjected to processing, preferably involving stripping, so as to separate an aqueous urea stream from residual dissociated carbamate vapor comprising ammonia, carbon dioxide, and water. The urea is fed to a melamine synthesis zone and subjected to melamine forming conditions so as to form melamine and off-gas comprising carbon dioxide and ammonia. The dissociated carbamate vapor and the melamine off-gas are subjected to combined condensation so as to form a dilute melamine off-gas condensate.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for removing submicron particles from a gas stream, in particular from urea prilling off-gas, wherein a Venturi ejector is used. A method comprises contacting a gas stream containing submicron particles in a Venturi ejector with an injected high velocity scrubbing liquid to provide a pumping action, wherein the scrubbing liquid has an initial velocity of at least 25 m/s and wherein the ratio of scrubbing liquid and gas flow is between 0.0005 and 0.0015 (m3/h)/(m3/h).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plant for performing a method for hydrogen production or for performing a method of hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide production from syngas. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a gas stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, (ii) separating at least part of hydrogen from the stream yielding a hydrogen-depleted stream, (iii) subjecting the hydrogen-depleted stream to a water-gas shift reaction, and (iv) separating hydrogen from the stream resulting from step (iii).