ABSTRACT
In the early 1900s research evolved the arc process in Norway which passed air through an electric arc to yield nitrogen dioxide which was hydrated in the presence of excess air to form nitric acid. The naphtha reforming reaction is: ICI of England pioneered the use of naphtha as a feedstock in 1938. With this beginning, naphtha has become a major feedstock for ammonia production in countries lacking natural gas-particularly in the United Kindom, West Germany, India, and Japan. In some areas natural gas has become available after naphtha reforming was installed, in which cases it has been relatively easy to shift over to natural gas. Naphtha suitable for ammonia feedstock is usually selected from straight-run petroleum distillate fractions with a final boiling point up to 215 C. Nitrogen solutions are combinations of ammonia, water, ammonium nitrate, and/or urea.
