A partnership of German engineering contractor Thyssenkrupp Uhde and the UK’s Johnson Matthey has been tapped to supply a new solution that would significantly reduce pressure in the synthesis loop of an ammonia plant while maintaining the nameplate capacity of 1,200 t/d. Delivery is planned for 2024.

The new equipment is currently being manufactured, and start-up at the plant operated by Istanbul-based Gübre Sanayii (İGSAŞ )at Kocaeli is scheduled for mid-2024. Thyssenkrupp Uhde said it will perform full supervision services during converter opening, catalyst unloading, cartridge disassembly, converter inspection, cartridge assembly, catalyst filling/activation, startup and performance testing.

The companies said the new cartridge bound for Turkey has a modular design with removable catalyst beds that enables better accessibility. Installed in the existing pressure shell, the cartridge is expected to bring further benefits in terms of safety as no major welding activities are required during installation.

The 36-year-old cartridge being replaced, also based on a design by the Essen-based contractor then trading as Uhde, has reached an extraordinarily long lifetime, as replacements are necessary after two catalyst exchange cycles totaling 20 years, the company said.

In addition to supplying the new cartridge for the Turkish fertilizer producer, Thyssenkrupp Uhde said it currently has eight additional Uhde ammonia converter cartridges under construction for blue ammonia projects.

Earlier this year, Thyssenkrupp Uhde and Idesa Industrial Plants signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop and manufacture Thyssenkrupp modules for green ammonia projects.  

Author: Dede Williams, Freelance Journalist