Cracking of ammonia is one of the most economical way for on-site generation of hydrogen gas for industrial purposes. For this process, the temperature of 850°C is maintained in the electrically heated furnace. A centrifugal cast retort is installed in the center of this furnace. This furnace is filled with nickel catalyst. At this stage, the ammonia cracking takes place in presence of nickel catalyst. The process separates its vital element into 75% hydrogen and 25% nitrogen gas at dew point of (-)30°C.
In fact, nitrogen gas is generally inert. This mixture is treated as pure hydrogen gas. This becomes the most economical, trusted, tried and dependable source of on-site hydrogen generation for many small and large industries. A molecular sieve purifier is used after ammonia cracking unit for reducing residual ammonia content and to get very dry gas. This reduces ammonia down to 1-ppm level and dries gas up to (-) 80°C dew point.
Gas Composition | Without Molecular Sieves Purifier | With Molecular Sieves Purifier |
Hydrogen | 75% | 75% |
Nitrogen | 25% | 25% |
Oxygen | Nil | Nil |
Residual Ammonia | 100-ppm(max) | 1-ppm (max) |
Dew Point | (-) 30°C | Up to (-)80°C |