Decentralized Production of Nitric Acid: A Green Game-Changer for the Chemical Industry
Nitric acid is a versatile chemical used in various sectors, including agriculture, mining, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and metal processing. Conventional production of nitric acid follows a two-step process: first, ammonia is produced using the Haber-Bosch process, where methane and air react to produce ammonia under high temperature and pressure, often relying on natural gas as a heat source. Second, that ammonia is converted into nitric acid through the Ostwald process, in which ammonia is oxidized at high temperature and pressure.
Due to the complexity and scale of these processes, nitric acid is predominantly produced in large, integrated manufacturing plants. These facilities supply significant consumers like the fertilizer and explosives industries, which rely heavily on nitric acid to produce ammonium nitrate. Excess nitric acid from these plants is sold on the merchant market to distributors, who then supply the pharmaceutical, semiconductor, metal processing, and other chemical industries.
However, this centralized production model creates supply chain risks for end users.
Challenges of the Conventional Nitric Acid Supply Chain
High Shipping Costs and Emissions
Transporting nitric acid from centralized production facilities to end users involves significant costs. Merchant market consumers, such as those in metal processing, often need to purchase truckloads of nitric acid on a weekly basis. Transportation costs can add 20% or more to the cost per unit volume of nitric acid, while also adding to carbon emissions.Storage Difficulties and Safety Concerns
Nitric acid is a hazardous material that requires special storage conditions. It must be kept in stainless steel tanks to prevent corrosion, and it cannot be stored for extended periods due to its reactive nature. This creates additional challenges for merchant market consumers, who need to purchase the chemical more frequently and in smaller quantities to mitigate safety risks, increasing logistical complexity and costs.Variability in Required Concentrations
Different industries require nitric acid in varying concentrations. For instance, the semiconductor industry often needs high concentrations (above 67%) for its processes, while the metal etching industry may require lower concentrations. Shipping and storage of nitric acid in high concentrations is economical, but it forces consumers to perform additional steps to dilute or adjust the concentration to meet their specific needs. This further adds to operational inefficiency and costs.
Decentralized Production: A Sustainable Solution
Arctura is developing a novel approach to address these challenges by enabling decentralized, on-site production of decarbonized nitric acid. By using only air, water, and renewable electricity, Arctura’s system can produce nitric acid on-site tailored to the specific needs of the consumer without any carbon emissions in the process. This technology offers several key benefits:
Reduced Costs and Emissions: On-site production eliminates the costs and emissions associated with transporting nitric acid over long distances. It also reduces the need for frequent shipments, which lowers the overall carbon footprint of the supply chain.
Improved Safety and Flexibility: Producing nitric acid on-site allows for "just-in-time" production, reducing the need for long-term storage and minimizing safety risks associated with handling and storing hazardous materials.
Customization of Concentrations: Arctura’s system can be scaled to the specific requirements of the consumer, producing nitric acid at the exact concentration needed for various industrial processes. This eliminates the need for additional dilution or concentration steps, streamlining operations and reducing waste.
A New Era for Nitric Acid Production
By decentralizing nitric acid production, Arctura’s technology offers a transformative solution for nitric acid consumers, enabling them to produce the chemical at the point of use more efficiently, sustainably, and safely. This approach not only addresses the pain points of the traditional supply chain but also paves the way for more flexible and resilient operations across various industries.
Learn more about how Arctura is building a cleaner, greener future with its innovative, sustainable technologies.
