Reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions in nitric acid production via ammonia combustion involves recycling gases leaving the nitric acid plant to the ammonia production plant

Reduction of nitrogen oxide (NO x) emissions in nitric acid production via ammonia combustion involves recycling to the ammonia plant (100) at least part of the NO x-containing gases leaving the nitric acid plant (200). Reduction of nitrogen oxide (NO x) emissions in nitric acid production involves (A) introducing into a nitric acid plant (200) ammonia obtained by catalytic reaction of nitrogen with hydrogen in an ammonia plant (100); (B) combusting the ammonia to NO x; (C) washing the NO x-containing gases with water in an absorption tower downstream of the ammonia combustion so as to form nitric acid; and (D) recycling to ammonia plant (100) at least part of the NO x-containing gases leaving the nitric acid plant (200). Independent claims are also included for use of the NO x- containing gases leaving the nitric acid plant (200) as a nitrogen source for the ammonia synthesis; and #apparatus for the process, this apparatus including an ammonia production plant (100), a nitric acid plant (200) and an absorption tower with a conduit (201) recycling at least part of the NO x-containing gases leaving the nitric acid plant (200). Beschrieben wird ein Verfahren zur Verringerung der Emission von Stickoxiden bei der Salpetersäureproduktion sowie eine dafür geeignete Anlage. Das Verfahren umfasst die Maßnahmen: DOLLAR A i) Erzeugen von Ammoniak durch katalytische Umsetzung von Stickstoff mit Wasserstoff in einer Ammoniakanlage, DOLLAR A ii) Einleiten des erzeugten Ammoniaks in eine Salpetersäureanlage, DOLLAR A iii) Verbrennung des Ammoniaks zu Stickoxiden in der Salpetersäureanlage, DOLLAR A iv) Waschen des Stickoxide enthaltenden Gases mit Wasser in mindestens einem stromabwärts zur Ammoniakverbrennung angeordneten Absorptionsturm zur Erzeugung von Salpetersäure, DOLLAR A v) Rückführung zumindest eines Teils des die Salpetersäureanlage verlassenden Restgases in die Ammoniakanlage.