No more N2O? BASF's laughing
15 Jan 2000
BASF has completed trials of a new process to remove nitrous oxide laughing gas from the off-gases of its adipic acid plant. The result of a DM13 million investment, the process will soon be part of BASF's licensing portfolio.
The process uses a specially developed proprietary catalyst to break down the nitrous oxide into nitrogen and oxygen, which can be sold or used in other processes. Conversion levels are around 95 per cent; 100 per cent is impossible, the company explains, but only because of shut-downs for maintenance and safety inspections. The process is to be offered, under licence, to other adipic acid producers, the company says.
Adipic acid is a major constituent of nylon three-quarters of all adipic acid produced is converted into nylon. The nitrous oxide produced in the process is doubly unwanted, as a suspected greenhouse gas and ozone depleter. BASF supplies about 12 per cent of the 2 million tpa worldwide market, and has committed itself to reduce its emissions of the gas by 90 per cent of 1995 levels by the end of the decade.
