CF gives update on ammonia plant
CF Industries Holdings Inc. said Oct. 26 that its new ammonia plant at the company’s Donaldsonville, La., Nitrogen Complex was started-up in September 2016, and has now achieved consistent, stable operation over the nameplate capacity of approximately 3,600 st/d. The plant has produced more than 50,000 st of ammonia since start-up.
This is the final new plant to be commissioned and started-up as part of CF’s capacity expansion project at Donaldsonville. CF said it is the largest ammonia plant by nameplate capacity in the world, sharing that distinction with three ammonia plants in Saudi Arabia.
“The start-up of the new ammonia plant signals the completion of our Donaldsonville capacity expansion project,” said Tony Will, CF president and CEO. “With all three new plants from the expansion running consistently at or above nameplate capacities, Donaldsonville’s expanded asset base and unmatched logistics capabilities are ideally positioned to serve customers in North America and around the world, while strengthening our cash generation now and into the future.”
Total annual gross ammonia capacity at Donaldsonville is now 4.3 million st, up from 3.1 million st previously. The Donaldsonville complex has flexibility to switch production from merchant ammonia to upgraded products, so the actual mix of net ammonia and upgraded products for sale will vary based on market conditions.
With the commissioning and start-up of the new ammonia plant, the Donaldsonville complex is now the largest nitrogen facility in the world.