NX STAMI™ Nitric Acid
Mono- and dual-pressure nitric acid technologiesEfficient and Low-Emission Nitric Acid Production
- Integration-ready with green ammonia and UAN
- Capacities up to 2,000+ MTPD
- Reduced OPEX and total cost of ownership
- Advanced NOx and N₂O abatement
- Proven corrosion prevention strategy
- Full lifecycle technical support
Nitric acid is a critical building block for the fertilizer industry, with approximately 80% of global production used in nitrogen-based fertilizers. As demand for fertilizers continues to grow, producers face increasing pressure to improve plant efficiency, reduce emissions, optimize energy recovery, and minimize operating costs.
At the same time, nitric acid production presents unique technical challenges, including high energy consumption, strict NOx and N₂O emission limits, corrosion risks, and operational safety during start-up and transient conditions.
NX STAMI™ Nitric Acid addresses these challenges through advanced mono- and dual-pressure nitric acid technologies designed for maximum energy recovery, operational reliability, and environmental performance.
Developed by Stamicarbon, NEXTCHEM’s nitrogen technology licensor, NX STAMI™ Nitric Acid combines decades of industrial experience with optimized process integration and proprietary emission abatement solutions.
Technology Overview
Nextchem offers mono- and dual-pressure nitric acid production processes for a wide range of plant capacities up to 600 MTPD (mono-pressure) or 2000 MTPD and above (dual-pressure).
Both processes are characterized by high tail gas temperature and designed for maximum energy recovery, reliable operation and minimal greenhouse gas emissions.
Mono-Pressure Nitric Acid Design
Nextchem's Mono-Pressure Nitric Acid Design is ideal for lower plant capacities (<600 MTPD -100% HNO3). It has lower capital investment (CAPEX) and can integrate with small-scale NX Stami™ Green Ammonia technology.
Dual-Pressure Nitric Acid Design
Nextchem's Dual-Pressure Nitric Acid Design is ideal for higher plant capacities (>600 MTPD- 100% HNO3) with single equipment. This technology also provides lower energy consumption (OPEX).
Advantages of NX Stami™ Nitric Acid
NX Stami™ Nitratric Acid technologies significantly reduce the total cost of ownership by maximizing your plant's energy recovery and extending equipment lifespans. By choosing this technology, you receive:
Lowest energy consumption for nitric acid production
The main feature of the NX Stami™ Nitric Acid process is the position of its third tail gas heater. Its location in the ammonia burner vessel allows tail gas temperatures of 480°C, which has several advantages:
- Nitrous oxide decomposition without the addition of an external agent like natural gas
- Higher power generation in the expansion turbine
- Extra heat recovery step before releasing the tail gas into the atmosphere
- Lower steam consumption of the compressor train and thus higher steam export
Operational safety
Safety is the number one priority for Nextchem when designing a nitric acid plant, just as it is for all our technologies. During plant start-up, ammonia slippage can increase the risk of forming explosive ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrite in the low-pressure cooler condenser and the first compartments of the oxidation/absorption column.
Our latest design is characterized by accurate process control to minimize ammonia slippage and by additional safety measures to prevent unsafe situations during start-up.
Low emissions
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and nitrous oxide (N2O), contained in the off-gas from nitric acid production, are harmful to the environment and contribute to acid rain, the greenhouse effect, and ozone layer depletion.
Nextchem nitrates solutions, applicable to both new and existing plants, is a tertiary abatement system featuring a high-temperature reactor with Fe-zeolite catalyst. This proprietary technology is designed to efficiently remove both N2O and NOx in a single unit, meeting today's strict emission standards while optimizing capital investment and operational efficiency.
Leveraging decades of Stamicarbon’s experience in nitric acid technology, we design a reliable, tailor-made tertiary abatement system for every type of nitric acid plant technology, process conditions, and emission requirements.
Corrosion prevention design
The nitric acid process is highly corrosive, with the main corrosion problems caused by the acid condensation/re-evaporation effect. Our design carefully selects process parameters to minimize this effect and prevent corrosion. A running reference plant, designed by Stamicarbon and built in 1989 has been in operation for more than 30 years with no major corrosion issues.
Besides, no proprietary materials are required in an NX Stami™ Nitric Acid Design, further reducing costs.
Tailor-Made Nitric Acid Plant
Nextchem offers flexibility in creating a tailor-made solution for your nitric acid plant. Our technologies can be combined with the producer's technology, achieving optimal results. All engineering services can be sourced locally to lower investment costs.
A nitric acid plant can also be offered as an integrated solution within a larger complex for UAN production, including a nitric acid plant, urea solution plant, ammonium nitrate solution plant and UAN mixing plant.
Full Life cycle support
At Nextchem, we offer full life cycle support for nitric acid plants. Our capabilities go beyond designing new plants; we can provide mechanical support, troubleshooting and additional services, including plant optimization services, plant inspections, equipment replacement, revamp studies and revamps, and a high-fidelity technology training simulator.
Where NX STAMI™ Nitrates Fits In
NX STAMI™ Nitric Acid is designed for a wide range of industrial and fertilizer applications, including:
- Nitrogen fertilizer production
- Integrated ammonia and nitrate complexes
- UAN production plants
- Green ammonia downstream integration
- Low-emission nitric acid facilities
- Existing nitric acid plant revamps
- Large-scale industrial chemical complexes
The technology can be integrated with:
- NX STAMI™ Ammonia
- Urea and UAN production units
- Tertiary emission abatement systems
- Downstream fertilizer and industrial nitrate applications.
Whether you're planning a new facility, upgrading an existing plant, or seeking low-carbon alternatives, Nextchem provides:
- Technology licensing
- Process design packages (PDP)
- Proprietary equipment
- Digital solutions
- Post-PDP services
Download the brochure to discover all the key feature about our technology.