Nitric Acid Purification System

Nitric Acid Purification System

The Nitric Acid Purification System is a precision-engineered process unit designed for refining, concentrating, and purifying nitric acid to meet high-purity industrial and laboratory standards. The system removes dissolved gases (NOx), moisture, metallic traces, and organic impurities from technical or recovered nitric acid streams.

Manufactured using borosilicate glass 3.3 and inert PTFE wetted parts, the system ensures minimal contamination, high chemical compatibility, and safe handling of highly corrosive nitric acid vapors. It is ideally suited for applications where acid purity directly impacts product quality, such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemical synthesis.

Process Description

The purification process is based on controlled fractional distillation and condensation, ensuring efficient separation of impurities:

• Commercial or recovered nitric acid (typically 50–70%) is metered into the glass still
• The acid is heated using an electrically heated oil bath or thermal system
• Nitric acid vapors rise through a packed mist-elimination section
• Vapors are condensed in a corrosion-resistant glass condenser
• Condensed acid is optionally diluted to the desired concentration
• A bleaching column injects clean air to remove NOx and dissolved gases
• Non-condensable gases are safely routed to a scrubber system
• Non-volatile impurities remain in the still bottoms, ensuring product purity

This design allows production of 98–99% high-purity nitric acid with excellent consistency.

Technical Specifications & Design Features

• Process type: continuous purification by fractional distillation
• Feed concentration: typically 50–68% HNO?
• Output purity: up to 98–99% nitric acid
• Operating mode: atmospheric or slight vacuum
• Construction materials: borosilicate glass 3.3, PTFE wetted parts, corrosion-resistant supports
• Core components:
• Distillation column
• Glass condenser
• Reflux system
• Acid receiver
• Bleaching column
• Vent scrubber

Design Basis & Utility Requirements

Parameter	Value
Purified acid capacity	40 kg/hr
Feed nitric acid (69–70%)	44 kg/hr
Electric heater load	48 kW
Cooling water (@ 7°C)	4–5 m³/hr
Space requirement	3 × 3 × 8 m

Key Features

• High-purity nitric acid production
• Effective NOx removal using bleaching technology
• Low holdup volume for safer operation
• Minimal contamination risk due to glass construction
• Modular and scalable design
• Efficient heat utilization with stable temperature control

Advantages

• Enables reuse of recovered nitric acid
• Reduces raw acid procurement costs
• Ensures consistent reagent quality
• Improves process safety and environmental compliance
• Suitable for pilot, semi-commercial, and industrial plants

Applications

• Electronic-grade nitric acid production
• Pharmaceutical and API manufacturing
• Specialty and fine chemical synthesis
• Acid recovery and recycling systems
• Analytical and laboratory reagent preparation
• Closed-loop nitric acid handling systems

Why Choose Our Nitric Acid Purification System?

• Process-engineered solutions, not off-the-shelf equipment
• Designed specifically for highly corrosive nitric acid service
• Customizable capacity and purity targets
• Proven suitability for cleanroom and precision applications
• Reliable integration with acid recovery and reuse packages

FAQs – Nitric Acid Purification System

Q1. Can recovered nitric acid be purified using this system?
Yes, the system is ideal for refining recovered or spent nitric acid to reusable purity levels.

Q2. How is NOx removed from the nitric acid?
NOx is removed using a bleaching column with clean air injection followed by vent scrubbing.

Q3. Is the system suitable for electronic-grade nitric acid?
Yes, it is specifically designed for high-purity and moisture-free nitric acid production.

Q4. Can the system operate under vacuum?
Yes, the unit can operate at atmospheric or slight vacuum conditions, depending on design.