Nitric Acid KBR Weatherly Dual-Pressure Process

Published September 2016

Nitric acid consumption in the United States in 2016 was roughly 8.0 million metric tons/year on a 100% nitric acid basis, and was expected to grow at an average annual rate of 2.8% during 2013–18. In this review, we look at the production of 60 wt% concentration nitric acid on a 100% basis by Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR) Weatherly dual-pressure new process technology. In Process Economics Program (PEP) Review 2016-15, Nitric Acid KBR Weatherly Single-Pressure Process (September 2016), we look at the same production rate for 60 wt% concentration nitric acid on a 100% basis by KBR/Weatherly single-pressure process technology.

Our prior work on nitric acid production was presented in PEP Review 82-3-3, Concentrated Nitric Acid (Espindesa Technology), published in May 1983.

The focus of this report includes capital and production costs for 658 metric tons/day of 60 wt% concentration nitric acid (100% basis) product. Lastly, an interactive module is included—the iPEP Navigator for nitric acid, which provides a snapshot of the process economics and allows the user to select the units and global region of interest.