Phibro to convert coal plant to produce ammonia

OREANDA-NEWS. May 19, 2016. Phibro has acquired a clean coal gasification plant near West Terre Haute, Indiana, and will convert it to ammonia fertilizer production.

Phibro and its affiliates will spend \\$450mn to repurpose the plant, aiming to wrap up construction by mid-2018. Phibro said the plant is expected to produce 1,500 t/day (547,500 t/yr) ammonia to be marketed to the region's agriculture market.

The plant will utilize petroleum coke sourced from Midwest refineries as feedstock instead of the more commonly used natural gas. CVR Partners' Coffeyville, Kansas, plant uses a similar method of ammonia production.

The plant, previously owned by SG Solutions, used to produce synthetic gas and steam to fuel the Wabash River Combined Cycle Plant in Indiana. Phibro said the plant's clean coal technology enables the company to economically repurpose it for ammonia production.