Two technological schemes are proposed for a new unit producing dilute nitric acid with a daily capacity of 1320 tons of monohydrate HNO3. Both options have the same capacity and are based on the use of domestic technological equipment, except for complex machine units (CMUs).
1st Option: This involves the production of nitric acid using the so-called "energy-technology" scheme with natural gas. This method has been applied in units with an annual capacity of 120,000 tons of HNO3 monohydrate (UCL-7) and in large-scale units with an annual capacity of 360-380 thousand tons per year (AK-72).
2nd Option: This option involves the production of nitric acid using a technological scheme without the use of natural gas. Most large-scale units in Europe and other countries operate on this technology. In these units, the energy for compressing air and nitrous gas is generated solely from the heat recovery of the nitrous gas, meaning it utilizes the heat from its own technological process. The two options differ in their production schemes and corresponding technological equipment, including CMUs and heat exchange equipment for recovering the heat of hot nitrous gas generated during ammonia conversion. This invention simplifies the compressed air process to the required pressure by eliminating the air cooler, centrifugal compressor, and multi-stage gearbox.

The advantages of this invention include:

• Simplified installation of the nitric acid production unit;
• Reduced capital investment;
• Improved equipment reliability;
• Reduced consumption of cooling water and, consequently, the water circulation cycle;
• Reduced specific fuel consumption.