Reducing N₂O While Innovating Profitably

With an environmental impact 310 times higher per unit than CO₂, nitrous oxide (N₂O) has been identified as a significant greenhouse gas (GHG) under the Kyoto Protocol. Shell Catalysts & Technologies’ solution destroys N₂O, converting it into naturally occurring nitrogen (N₂) and oxygen (O₂). It is well suited to reducing N₂O emissions from the tail gas streams of industrial and chemical process plants such as nitric acid, Caprolactam, and adipic acid plants – all significant emitters of N₂O.

C-NAT has been tested under a wide range of conditions and when properly maintained and operated, it is capable of achieving N₂O reductions of more than 98%. C-NAT is a direct N₂O decomposition process that does not require the addition of any reducing agent or other reactants. N₂O destruction of 98% or higher can be achieved over a range of temperatures and pressures, and no undesirable by-products are formed.

C-NAT can be installed in either the high-pressure position upstream of the expander or in the low-pressure position downstream of the expander. Both options benefit from low-pressure drop by utilising the LFR. Certain processes for the manufacture of caprolactam can have high N₂O emissions.

The Shell Catalysts & Technologies’ N₂O decomposition catalyst is stable in the presence of small quantities of sulphur oxide (SOx) sometimes present in caprolactam process tail gas. N₂O reduction projects can be used to generate tradable carbon credits and financial revenues.