Model prediction on the reliability of fixed bed reactor for ammonia production

Chukwuemeka Peter Ukpaka and Tirilagha Izonowei

Abstract

In this research work Haber process was employed to examine the reliability of the functional parameters and coefficient on ammonia production using the fixed bed reactor with hydrogen gas and nitrogen used as the main source of the
reactant. Mathematical models were developed to monitor and predict the effectiveness factors, nitrogen fractional conversion, temperature, component mole fraction, hydrogen mole fraction, and ammonia mole fraction profile for the
various cases considered during the investigation. The simulated parameters for case 1, 2 and 3 for components of total feed flow, pressure, reactor bed volume and feed composition influence the reliability of the functional parameters and
the coefficient of the fixed bed reactor for optimum yield of ammonia. The developed models were simulated using Matlab program to evaluate the functional parameters and the results obtained from the system in terms of optimum yield factor indicate 30% to 34% increase in ammonia production. The increase in the performance evaluation concept revealed the reliability of the developed model in monitoring and predicting the rate of production of ammonia in a fixed bed reactor.