Nitrous Oxide Gas Plant

Introduction

An Indian company engaged in the manufacture of plants for chemicals industries offers to supply nitrous oxide gas plants. Nitrous oxide gas is made by burning ammonium nitrate. The reaction is exothermic, and care is taken that the reaction is kept under control. The evolved gases are condensed and purified by scrubbing with water, alkali, and acid solution. The pure gas is then compressed, dried and then stored in liquid form. The non-condensable impure gases escape from the top of the storage. The liquid nitrous oxide, is drawn from the bottom of the storage and filled in cylinders. The gas produced is better than that of European medical standards.

Areas of application

• Anaesthetic gas: Nitrous oxide gas is used as an anaesthetic gas universally, and this is the biggest use of the gas;
• Food industry;
• Electronics industry; and Car racing.

Advantages

Nitrous oxide is an accepted anaesthetic gas in medical operations. The nausea caused by this anaesthetic gas is minimal. It is easily controllable and thus preferred all over the world. The mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygenils is used as a pain releaser by dentists, and in ambulances and maternity local surgeries.

The nitrous oxide plant does not produce any environmental problem, either atmospheric or effluent-related.

The plant does not produce any heat or noise pollution.

Production capacity

30 kg/hr

Inputs required

Manpower	2 per shift
Land/building	140 sq.m.
Raw materials	Ammonium nitrate

Development status

Commercialized
Plants are being manufactured and supplied.

Economic data

Total cost	INR 6 million (US$ 0.123 million)
Know-how fee	INR 200,000 (US$ 4,102)
Equipment (FOB)	INR 4.5 million (US$ 0.092 million)
Training fee	INR 100,000 (US$ 2,052)
Pay-back period	2 years

Transfer forms

Production equipment

For further information please contact

Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology,
APCTT Building,
C-2 Qutab Institutional Area,
P.O.Box - 4575
New Delhi - 110 016
India