Abstract
The Technology advancements achieved in the 21st century have led to improved performances in the mining and agriculture industries, resulting in organizations achieving significant profits and providing employment opportunities to the South Africans population. Unfortunately, this is accompanied by various sources of pollution affecting the quality of life in the form of global warming. Manufacturing nitric acid, the main ingredient in producing explosives and fertilizer, is one of the leading emitters of a greenhouse gas known as NOx. This study aims to provide the nitric acid manufacturing sector with tools to optimize and forecast the impact of the Ostwald process through the development of a statistical regression model. The developed regression model reduces energy consumption and complies with environmental regulations while producing an excellent product to maintain the organization's financial sustainability and survival. The methodology adopted in the study utilizes a case study approach in which quantitative data in the form of design and operation information from the selected case is used to develop a virtual simulation on CHEMCAD software. A design of experiment sensitivity analysis on the CHEMCAD simulation aids in understanding and generating nitric acid process behaviour data, thus allowing the development of a statistical model through regression analysis. Ultimately four regression models are developed for each operational pillar, with the energy model proving to be the most robust.
Keywords: NOx gas, Nitric acid, Ostwald process, regression model, environmental regulations, Operation pillars.