Process for the in-line hydrolysis of urea
AssigneeFuel Tech, Inc.
InventorsThure von Harpe, Reihard Pachaly, John E. Holfmann
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a process for the in-line hydrolysis of urea. More particularly, the process involves heating an aqueous solution of urea while flowing through a conduit to a temperature and for a time effective to hydrolyze urea to produce hydrolysis products comprising ammonium carbamate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, and ammonia. The hydrolysis products are useful for the reduction of nitrogen oxides in combustion effluents without the generation of substantial amounts of nitrous oxide.
Claims19
A process for the reduction of nitrogen oxides in a combustion effluent, the process comprising
- a) providing an aqueous solution of urea such that it is flowing through a conduit of a nitrogen oxides reduction apparatus;
- b) heating said urea solution to a temperature of at least about 300.degree. F. for at least about three minutes while it is flowing through said conduit to hydrolyze said urea to produce hydrolysis products comprising at least one of ammonium carbamate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, or mixtures thereof;
- and
- c) introducing said hydrolysis products into a combustion effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides concentration therein.
The process of claim 19, wherein said enzyme is urease.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.